Sectoral Councils Will Identify Key Gaps In Labour Market

DOHA: Assistant Undersecretary for National Manpower Affairs in the Private Sector at the Ministry of Labour (MOL) Shaikha Abdulrahman Al Badi (pictured) said that the recently announced sectoral councils are specialized councils comprising representatives from various key sectors, with the aim of strengthening and developing the national workforce in Qatar.

In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Badi indicated that the sectoral councils, through their members, work to identify key gaps in the labour market and coordinate efforts among various stakeholders to meet the needs of the future labor market in the State of Qatar.

She noted that based on the Third National Development Strategy and the aspirations of Qatar National Vision 2030, nine sectoral councils will be established for all strategic sectors that contribute to the growth and diversification of the Qatari economy. These include the food and agriculture sector, education, healthcare, information technology and digital services, financial services, logistics services, tourism, manufacturing industries, construction, and real estate.

Al Badi emphasized that developing these strategic sectors is a key factor in achieving Qatar's economic ambitions, ensuring its flexibility, and maintaining its competitiveness at the regional and international levels.

In this context, she said that the growth of emerging sectors and the development of existing sectors will also provide new economic opportunities for the national workforce seeking to participate in the private sector by creating highly skilled and quality jobs that meet the needs of the future labor market.

Responding to a question concerning the contribution of these sectoral councils to achieving the goals of the National Strategy for an Effective and Highly Productive Workforce 20242030, Al Badi explained that the National Development Strategy focuses on creating a sustainable economic future led by citizens, residents, and the private sector in the State of Qatar, which summarizes the primary objective of the sectoral councils.

She noted that by developing the skills of the national workforce, creating new jobs for Qataris, and driving the transformation of local human capital, the goal is not only to achieve but to exceed the objectives of the National Development Strategy by 2030.

In this context, she added that through these councils, the MOL will design and implement programs and initiatives that support labour productivity growth by 2 percent annually, increase Qatari participation in the private sector to 20 percent by 2030, and contribute to the growth of general economic indicators across various sectors.

She stressed that the main objectives of the National Development Strategy remain firmly rooted in the vision and mission of the sectoral councils, with the support and participation of all stakeholders, and expressed her confidence in achieving significant progress.

Al Badi, affirmed that the sectoral councils play a crucial role in aligning the human capacity development system with emerging market needs in the State of Qatar. She emphasized that these councils work closely with key stakeholders to design educational and training programs that equip Qatari professionals with the necessary skills to thrive in the labor market. This, in turn, will create high-quality job opportunities in both the private and mixed sectors, enhancing the participation of the national workforce and boosting its contribution to the country's sustainable socio-economic development.

Al Badi underscored the pivotal role of sectoral councils in strengthening the partnership between MoL and the private sector by serving as a bridge between key entities, including legislative bodies, employers, and educational institutions, as well as regulatory authorities overseeing labor market development. This collaboration fosters constructive dialogue between policymakers and the private sector, ensuring that national strategies align with labor market demands and private sector requirements, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the national workforce.

She further explained that through a comprehensive approach to human capital development and labor market advancement, these councils facilitate the design of more effective and efficient initiatives based on accurate data analysis and evidence-based decision-making.

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