Tamkeen signed a BD 324,000 agreement with the Bahrain Institute of Technology to train 120 Bahraini school graduates through enrollment in a 6-month intensive series of professional information technology certification modules that will help them obtain rewarding careers as Certified System Administrators with salaries ranging from BD 450 to BD 600.

The project is part of Tamkeen’s human capital development (HCD) initiatives that will give young Bahrainis internationally accredited learning opportunities that will put on the right professional career tracks and improve their standards of living.

Applauding the initiative, Tamkeen’s Chief Executive Abdulellah Al Qassimi said, “Training proposals received form external public and private organisations as well as from professional bodies form a vital part of Tamkeen’s strategy to interact with the private sector community and a key component in developing a portfolio of

customised solutions in response to specific market needs and to meet immediate requirements of private sector institutions. When Bahrain Institute of Technology presented the proposal to us and having conducted a rigorous review and evaluation we found that the training suggested offered excellent opportunities and guaranteed employment in various businesses to build new skills among talented Bahrainis and develop the knowledge industry in the Kingdom.  We are therefore very happy to support this programme.”

He added, "We believe that the success of our human capital development programmes will be determined by how effective they are in building competencies for the workplace and the degree to which it triggers social and economic mobility for the participants and this in our view represents an excellent opportunity to improve the living standards of the 120 Bahrainis who will eventually benefit from the project”.

Under Tamkeen’s Received Initiatives programme, training service providers and employers can submit proposals for training and employment and Tamkeen will provide necessary support on the basis of its value in giving Bahrainis the best career breakthroughs and companies a new growth trajectory.

“The training will commence in the second quarter of 2009 and we are offering 9 carefully-selected certifications for Information Technology industry careers,” explained Bahrain Institute of Technology’s Acting Chief Executive Mr. Tawfiq Ali Al Qatan, “The courses are of 6 months duration and we shall train 120 Bahrainis over the project’s life.”

He added, “Bahrain’s IT industry is growing at a promising rate and Bahrainis’ knowledge of English is an added advantage that they should utilise to leave their mark in this sector because English is the language of the IT industry. The programme is open to Bahrainis holding Secondary School certifications and will equip them with the technical expertise to get started on a career in IT” Applicants will undergo a four-part evaluation criteria prior to establishing their readiness and suitability to enroll in the programme.

Furthermore, Mr. Nedhal Al Aujan BDB’s Chief Executive Officer stated that the Bank is keen to support initiatives that target assisting Bahrainis to seek valuable job opportunities, and helps nurture Bahraini youth’s visions and aspirations by offering such innovative programmes and services.

He emphasised that Bahrain Institute of Technology will continue to serve a crucial role in targeting the Bank’s values and achieving its main objectives since it is linked to a dynamic sector that is tremendously affecting the daily life of each and every individual.