A vocational apprenticeship system has been proposed in Bahrain’s public and private education sectors.
Five MPs led by Dr Muneer Suroor believe the initiative would integrate theoretical education with hands-on training to produce graduates who are better prepared for real-world challenges.
It has been unanimously recommended for approval by Parliament’s services committee, which described it as a timely response to both local and global employment challenges.
“Our education system must move in step with the labour market,” Dr Suroor said. “Vocational apprenticeships give students practical skills alongside academic knowledge, making them more confident, employable and productive once they graduate.”
Currently, such programmes are largely limited to secondary school students. The proposal calls for expanding the system to include the preparatory level, allowing students to gain early exposure to practical skills and different career paths.
Dr Suroor stressed that the move was not about forcing students into early specialisation.
“Introducing apprenticeships at an earlier stage helps students understand the world of work, discover their interests and make informed choices about their future education and careers,” he added.
The MPs pointed out that apprenticeship systems have proven effective worldwide in strengthening economies and creating a skilled workforce aligned with market demand.
“Countries that invest in apprenticeships see clear economic returns,” Dr Suroor said. “They produce a generation that is skilled, adaptable and capable of supporting national development in a rapidly changing global economy.”
The Education Ministry told the committee that it currently focuses on providing preparatory school students with a broad academic foundation, while reserving vocational specialisation for the secondary level.
The ministry cited international studies indicating that older students are better positioned to benefit from direct labour market training. However, the ministry indicated it had no objection to offering vocational apprenticeships to middle school students, provided they are introduced in carefully structured educational doses that do not affect students’ academic pathways.
The proposal is set to be discussed in Parliament session on Tuesday.
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