Retail Apprenticeship Scheme

Course details

The Apprenticeship Scheme for Retail Sector is a major programme launched by Tamkeen (Labour Fund) in association with Bahrain International Retail Development Centre (BIRD) to employ and train new local graduates as well as existing employees. The aim of this programme is to provide skilled, trained workforce equipped with internationally recognized qualifications to capitalize on the huge demand in the booming retail sector.

The scope of this Apprenticeship Scheme is confined to the following positions:

• Entry level- Cashier, sale Assistants, customer Service Assistants, Beauty consultants etc
• Visual Merchandisers – Entry level as well as existing employees

Key Objectives:

• To support Bahrainis to become the employees of choice in the retail sector
• To support high quality private sector job creation and help the private sector cope with the impact of labour market reform.
• To enable current value added jobs in the retail sector to be occupied by the local workforce and hence exercise leass dependence on expartiate labour
• To assist the career progression of existing employees in the retail sector by offering training and development opportunities in order to assume higher positions, thus increasing their wages and standards of living.

Who can benefit?

• All young Bahraini graduates (Secondary school certification), aged 16+ and are currently unemployed, are eligible for entry level and visual merchandising positions.
• Existing employees with a minimum of two years of experience are also eligible
• All private sector retail companies/entities who wish to provide sustainable employment opportunities to these young trained and qualified Bahraini graduates.

How can employers benefit?

This scheme will provide unique opportunities for retail employer by-

• Providing them with trained, qualified and motivated Bahrainis who will have ability to work independently as well as grow within the industry to take up positions of greater responsibility and impact.
• Ensuring sustainable employment of Bahraini workforce. This will lead to higher productivity and lower costs, thus enhancing overall profitability.
• Reducing employee turnover and thus improving the retention rates
• Recruiting and training employees at no cost