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CLOSING THE SKILLS GAP OF QATAR ’ S MANUFACTURING SECTOR
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new PwC Middle East report has revealed that developing local and international talent pools will be crucial to the growth of Qatar ’ s manufacturing sector , which plays a central role in the country ’ s push to diversify its economy .
The need to develop and attract local talent pools is highlighted in the identification of two of nine strategic enablers in the Qatar Manufacturing Strategy focusing around developing Qatar ’ s local and international talent pools .
“ The manufacturing sector in Qatar is a priority sector under the National Vision 2030 programme and a key contributor to the government ' s economic diversification agenda ,” said Dr . Bashar Eljawhari , Consumer and Industrial Products and Services , Partner at PwC Middle East . “ However , growth of the sector is dependent on the availability of appropriate skills and competencies . In our report , we highlighted five interventions that should be prioritised to bridge the talent demand and supply gap in the manufacturing sector .”
Qatar ’ s current skills gap its Vision 2030 objectives , closing the skills gap should be a key priority for the growth of the manufacturing sector .
PwC ’ s analysis showed that if the talent demand in the Qatar pharmaceutical manufacturing sub-sector alone is met , the sector is likely to contribute an additional QR4.7 billion ( US $ 1.3 billion ) to the GDP in 2030 .
“ While there may be an adequate supply of highly skilled individuals willing to work , skills gaps still arise , specifically when the skills of the available workforce do not match those needed for the roles that need to be filled ,” said Randa Bahsoun , New World New Skills Leader at PwC Middle East .
“ To attract , develop and retain appropriate skills and competencies vital to the growth of the manufacturing sector , key stakeholders need to work collaboratively to implement recommended initiatives .”
Need for intervention
The report recommends a collaborative approach in trying to solve the skills gap – especially among specific government entities , the education sector , manufacturing businesses and ministries .
The initiatives fall under three priority areas , the report said , including talent planning , talent attraction and talent development .
The success of these initiatives is expected to drive growth in the manufacturing sector , which could increase overall economic growth and strengthen Qatar ’ s non-oil economy . x
Qatar ’ s current skills gap can be attributed to several factors , such as :
• Labour misallocation
• A skewed labour market
• Immigration policies
• A relatively static structure of the education sector
• An inactive population – reaching 13 % in mid-2021
As Qatar continues its path of diversification and strives to achieve
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