Bahrain’s economy continues to grow in sectors such as Fintech, Logistics, Tourism, Healthcare, Manufacturing and Construction. Many employers now report it is more difficult than ever to locate the required skill sets. The skills gap in Bahrain extends beyond just a lack of manpower; there is also an imbalance between the types of skill sets required by employers versus those that many job seekers currently possess. Job seekers need to develop more digital, technical and specialised skill sets in order to be successful in today’s workforce.
Where Are the Biggest Skill Shortages in Bahrain?
Labour and market reports are showing some key areas of need:
- Digital & Technology: Digital Transformation is well underway, and as organisations accelerate this trend, there is a growing need for digital/tech specialists; AI, cyber security, Cloud Engineering, data analytics and software development are all at the forefront of this.
- Financial & Fintech: Bahrain is focused on becoming a financial hub for the region. Therefore, there is a need for risk analysts, compliance officers, digital banking professionals and specialists in Islamic finance.
- Health Care: Growth in private health care and overall population growth is creating a demand for doctors, nurses, and other allied health professionals, along with health administration professionals.
- Construction & Infrastructure: The projected value of the construction and infrastructure sector in Bahrain is approximately USD12.56 billion by the year 2032. Therefore, Bahrain will need more engineers, project managers and skilled tradespeople.
- Renewable Energy & HSE: With Bahrain’s ambition to reach Net-Zero by 2060, there is a growing need for renewable energy engineers, sustainability specialists and HSE professionals.
Unfortunately, the level of youth unemployment remains high (6%-6.3%), indicating that many job seekers are not able to develop the requisite skills despite having degrees.
Why the Skills Gap Exists
Several key structural issues are driving the skills shortage in Bahrain.
- The mismatch between education and industry: most graduates hold a high level of academic qualification, but few have had exposure to practical skills that are aligned with the requirements of their intended industries (particularly IT, healthcare, and engineering).
- Rapid digitalisation: The emergence of new technology and financial technology (Fintech) roles will continue to create an environment where there is more competition for experienced professionals than the local market can provide.
- The excess demand for talent compared to available talent is due to ambitious infrastructure and diversification initiatives, creating a higher demand for a limited pool of specialised local and expatriate talent in certain sectors.
- A shift from degrees to skills: More employers in Bahrain are focusing on demonstrable skills, certifications, and portfolios over traditional degree qualifications, and this gap exposes many candidates to a lack of job readiness.
The government of Bahrain has implemented various initiatives to address the skill shortage, including Skills Bahrain, which was launched by Tamkeen. This initiative leverages data from multiple sectors along with training programs to develop national skills that better align with national and international labour market demands.
How Recruitment Firms Help Fill the Gap
Given these developments, specialist recruitment and staffing agencies in Bahrain are becoming increasingly important in the recruitment process.
Access to Wider and Better-Matched Talent Pools
Specialist recruitment agencies in Bahrain have access to a vast database of potential candidates. They can search through this database for potential candidates with niche skills in IT, Finance, Engineering, Health Services, Construction, etc. To assist employers in identifying suitable candidates for specific roles, specialist recruitment agencies:
- Actively search for candidates at both regional and international levels, often for profiles with niche skills and high levels of competency.
- Create a ‘skill/certification versus position’ matrix that matches the candidate’s skills and certifications with the current and future job(s).
- Provide only shortlisted, ‘job-ready candidates’ to employers, thereby helping employers reduce the time required to fill job vacancies.
This is especially valuable for employers seeking specific combinations of technical skills, language requirements, and industry-specific experience levels.
Bridging the Skills-Role Mismatch
Specialist recruitment consultants assist organisations by:
- Gaining an in-depth understanding of the employer’s tech stack, tools, and workflow
- Screening candidates based on demonstrated skills, not just degrees or job titles
- Providing clients with realistic salary bands, job profiles, and upskilling options
Some partners also partner with training providers, such as General Assembly Bahrain, to place new reskilled candidates into entry/mid-level positions that address the skills gap directly.
Sector-Specific Bahrain Recruitment Solutions
To fill the talent gaps within their customers’ businesses, recruiting companies in Bahrain frequently establish specialised divisions focused on industries experiencing acute demand for qualified individuals, including:
- Technology & Digital Professionals: Programmers/Software Engineers; Cyber Security Analysts; Data Management Professionals; Digital Marketing Professionals.
- Healthcare Professionals: Nurses; Physicians; Therapists; Clinical Administrators.
- Construction and Engineering Professionals: Project Managers; Civil/Mechanical/Electrical Engineers; Quantity Surveyors; Skilled Tradespeople (e.g., Electricians, Carpenters).
- Banking and Financial Services Representatives: Relationship Managers, Compliance Professionals, Risk Management Professionals, Treasury Staff, and Operations Staff.
By establishing these industry-specific areas of expertise, recruiting agencies can more effectively connect companies looking to hire qualified candidates faster and with greater accuracy.
Why Working with the Right Recruitment Partner Matters
Different recruitment solutions and companies have varying levels of effectiveness in Bahrain. The best Bahrain recruitment partners:
- Have a deep understanding of the country’s economic priorities and sectoral development plans.
- Adhere to high-quality screening processes to ensure a good job and cultural fit.
- Provide a transparent process with quick turnarounds and robust support after a placement.
Selecting the right partner or vendor can make a difference in how long an organisation will have a vacancy due to staff shortages versus being properly staffed and ready to lead its future workforce.
How 6 Pence Helps Close Bahrain’s Skill Gaps
As Bahrain continues to face significant challenges around skill shortages, 6 Pence has become a highly credible workforce solutions provider to support employers in finding, accessing and employing the necessary talent in the right location at the right time. With experience developed through many years of providing workforce solutions to companies across various sectors in the region, 6 Pence helps:
- Employers connect with already screened local and expatriate professionals in the sectors of information technology, finance, healthcare, construction, and logistics, among others.
- By providing flexible staffing and outsourcing models, e.g., permanent, contract, project teams, etc., that respond to fluctuations in demand
- By managing all aspects of the hiring process, i.e, sourcing, screening, onboarding, and other HR administration duties, so that the internal teams can continue focusing on their core business
As a market leader in the provision of Bahrain workforce solutions to clients within Bahrain’s rapidly changing skills landscape, 6 Pence helps to resolve skill gaps efficiently, effectively, and in accordance with local labour regulations. By collaborating with 6 Pence in this context, clients can execute their strategies with an increased level of confidence.
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