Tamkeen, Bahrain’s labour fund, and telecom group Batelco have launched an internship programme to train 70 Bahraini university graduates with degrees in ICT, electrical and electronic engineering over a five year period at Batelco.

The agreement is in line with Tamkeen’s objective of developing Bahrainis’ skills across the private sector.

The signing ceremony was headed by Tamkeen chairman and acting chief executive Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, Batelco chief executive Rashid Abdulla.

The programme is expected to launch officially at the end of January. As per the agreement, Tamkeen will fund the training of the 70 interns at Batelco, which amounts to BD168,000 ($443,000).

Each group of interns will undergo an intensive training programme for one year, and includes practical and theoretical elements such as on-the-job training and classroom training to ensure that the selected candidates are sufficiently skilled and qualified.

Shaikh Mohammed bin  Essa Al Khalifa said: “This accord exemplifies the dynamic collaboration between Tamkeen and private sector to offer quality programmes which serve the local recruitment needs of businesses, and offer valuable growth and development opportunities for Bahrainis which enable to contribute to our national economy.”

He further noted that Tamkeen is open to possible partnerships with private sector organisations through which both Tamkeen’s strategic objectives and the needs of the private sector as a whole are served.

“This agreement is in line with Batelco’s policy of developing national cadres in the telecommunications sector, so that Bahraini employees’ would become a business owner's first choice for employment,” said Rashid Abdulla.

“Based on our leading position in the telecommunications field, we affirm our commitment to fully support programmes which enhance this vital sector in Bahrain.”

Each group of interns will consist of 14 young Bahraini men and women who have recently graduated from university with degrees in either ICT, electrical, or electronic engineering. The suitable candidates are selected based on face-to-face interviews and a battery of standard psychometric tests. – TradeArabia News Service