Year-Round Training Proposed for Youth City 2030

A proposal to turn Youth City 2030 into a year-round training platform for AI, cyber security, fintech and other future skills has been submitted by MP Dr Munir Seroor.

The plan would take the scheme beyond its main summer season, with new ‘Future Skills and Careers’ tracks aimed at preparing young Bahrainis for fields expected to grow in the years ahead.

AI, data, cyber security, financial technology, advanced manufacturing, space science, the green economy and creative industries are among the areas named.

The tracks would be reviewed regularly with input from the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Labour Fund ‘Tamkeen’, the Ministry of Labour, universities, private firms and professional and technology bodies.

Dr Seroor said young people should be trained before demand for new skills rises, rather than only for jobs already on offer.

‘The idea is to anticipate rather than wait,’ he said.

‘Training young people should not be limited to the jobs available today. We should begin preparing them early for the skills and careers that Bahrain’s economy is expected to need in the future.’

The plan would take young people from finding their interests and strengths into skills training and practical work with private firms.

Where possible, they would then be linked to vocational training, jobs or support for youth business ideas.

Companies and professional bodies would also be asked to provide work projects, industry challenges and field training.

Dr Seroor said Youth City 2030 already brings together learning and training in science, technology, work skills, sport, culture, media, leadership and entrepreneurship.

His proposal would build on the existing scheme rather than create a new body. Summer would remain its biggest season, while smaller specialist programmes would run through the rest of the year.

The plan also seeks to cut the gap between the skills young people have and those employers are looking for, while helping participants make clearer choices about study and work.

Those who perform well could be linked with training and job openings, while promising youth ideas could move into schemes that help turn them into businesses.

‘Youth City 2030 would develop from its success as a summer youth destination into a national platform that looks ahead to the future of young people and helps them discover their abilities and build the skills they will need before entering the labour market,’ Dr Seroor said.