Tamkeen Professional Certifications Scheme serves more than 7,000 Bahrainis

Tamkeen announces that the number of beneficiaries that the Professional Certifications Scheme targeted for the current stage of the programme has been reached. Since its launch in November 2011, more than 7,200 Bahrainis have been served through the programme, which Tamkeen offers as part of its efforts to develop the skills of Bahrainis and match them with market requirements. 

To date, the programme enabled more than 4,000 Bahrainis to obtain internationally accredited professional certifications in 212 subjects. About 29% of the beneficiaries obtained certificates in ICT, 18% in finance and accounting, 13% in health and safety, and 8% in human resources management, in addition to other fields and specialisations. Tamkeen's total financial support for the programme to date reached about BD 4.9 million. 

With the target number of beneficiaries for the current stage reached, Tamkeen announced that it temporarily suspended receiving applications for the programme until the restructuring of its current programmes has been completed. The restructuring is a key part of the plans announced in its Operational Plan for 2014, and aims to enhancing quality, becoming more client focused, and achieving better results. 

Tamkeen will focus on serving the beneficiaries who are already registered in the programme, which are around 3,160. The date on which Tamkeen will resume receiving applications will be announced in due course. 

Commenting on this announcement, Tamkeen Chairman and Acting Chief Executive Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa said: "The decision is based on feedback received from the various economic sectors during the consultation sessions held in October last year, as well as the recommendations of the National Audit Court and the results of impact assessment studies Tamkeen is conducting to evaluate its performance." 

He added: "The impact assessment and re-engineering process is a key aspect of our preparations for Tamkeen's 2015-2017 strategy, which will primarily focus on enhancing the quality of our programmes rather than their quantity. When completed, Tamkeen's offerings will be more focused, more efficient, and more flexible to meet the needs of Bahrainis and business owners. Tamkeen will continue to support the private sector through the development of Bahrainis and businesses."