Qatar launches first Gulf Forum for Labour Market Skills to advance GCC workforce development

Qatar has hosted the first Gulf Forum for Labour Market Skills, bringing together government officials, business leaders and academic institutions to discuss workforce development across the GCC.

Organised by Qatar’s Ministry of Labour (MoL), the forum called for a unified regional approach to skills development. Participants also highlighted the need to align vocational training with changing labour market requirements.

Held in Doha under the theme From Empowerment to Leadership, the event was organised in partnership with the Executive Bureau of the GCC Council of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs and the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST).

The discussions focused on preparing national talent for digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) and the green economy. They also examined workforce nationalisation, professional development and regional cooperation.

GCC countries consider unified skills development framework

One of the forum’s key recommendations was to establish a joint GCC committee for skills development. The proposed committee would develop a unified regional strategy to address technological advances and changing workforce requirements.

Participants also called for greater coordination between GCC countries on skills policies. This includes harmonising vocational training standards and standardising professional qualifications.

In addition, the recommendations highlighted the need for stronger investment in national talent. They also called for better workforce planning and mechanisms to anticipate future skills shortages.

The forum stressed that educational institutions must work more closely with private sector employers. Training programmes, participants said, should reflect the current and future requirements of different economic sectors.

Private sector urged to play a greater role in workforce training

Participants highlighted the role of businesses in identifying emerging skills requirements and shaping training programmes.

They called on private companies to work with educational and vocational institutions. This would help ensure that training translates into practical workplace capabilities.

The recommendations also covered professional, digital and leadership skills. In particular, participants stressed the importance of expanding career development opportunities for GCC nationals in the private sector.

Meanwhile, the forum called for stronger labour market forecasting through reliable data and indicators. These tools could help governments and employers identify emerging skills requirements.

Participants also recommended regular assessments of workforce development initiatives. Measuring programme outcomes, they said, would help improve their effectiveness.

Qatar highlights human capital as a driver of economic growth

Speaking at the forum, Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman bin Nasser Al Thani, Undersecretary of Qatar’s Ministry of Labour, highlighted the economic importance of workforce development.

She said human capital development and skills enhancement are fundamental to productivity, economic competitiveness and sustainable growth.

She also emphasised collaboration between government entities, academic institutions and private industry. Such partnerships, she noted, can help develop an agile workforce prepared for future labour market demands.

Mohammed Al Obaidli, Director General of the Executive Bureau of the GCC Council of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs, highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in empowering GCC nationals.

He outlined ongoing initiatives to establish a Gulf-wide skills framework, standardise professional qualifications and harmonise vocational training standards.

Similarly, UDST President Dr Salem Al Naemi stressed the importance of stronger industry-academia partnerships. He said higher education programmes must evolve alongside digital transformation, AI and the transition to a green economy.

This alignment, he noted, would help prepare national talent for changing employment requirements.

Qatar calls for measurable GCC workforce development initiatives

Khames Mohammed Al Naimi, Assistant Undersecretary for National Manpower Affairs in the Private Sector at Qatar’s Ministry of Labour, called for continued cooperation among GCC countries.

He highlighted the importance of sharing expertise and successful practices to strengthen regional skills systems.

Al Naimi also urged government entities, educational institutions and private employers to translate forum recommendations into practical initiatives.

He stressed the need to invest in people’s ability to learn, adapt and innovate as technology reshapes the workplace. Furthermore, he called for broader opportunities for GCC nationals to contribute to economic development.

Forum to address future skills and workforce nationalisation

The event featured four specialised panel discussions covering key workforce development priorities.

These included:

• Investing in skills development to accelerate workforce nationalisation.
• Building a sustainable regional skills framework.
• Mapping talent requirements across major economic sectors.
• Supporting economic resilience and job creation through small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Participants also recommended holding the forum annually, with GCC member states taking turns to host it.

The proposed arrangement aims to sustain regional dialogue, encourage knowledge-sharing and improve coordination on common labour market challenges.

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