Abstract:

In Qatar, the government views education as a key catalyst to modernise the country, reduce the dependency on hydrocarbons and improve the international competitiveness of Qatari citizens. The education and training system in Qatar has grown considerably with a significant investment to become a ‘research orientated knowledge-base with skilled human capacity to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030 to be a knowledge based society. Despite the steady and fast growth in the number of schools and high education institutions (300 schools and 25 universities in 2019) in a country with a population of about 2.1 millions, only five TVET secondary schools and two technical colleges, currently provide TVET graduates. These few TVET schools and colleges, nonetheless, are making a vital contribution in bridging pathways for young people into the world of work.

However, several challenges in regards to post-secondary education are noted in the new National Development Strategy 2018-2022, namely;
1. There is a need to ensure a stronger linkage between qualifications from the post-secondary sector and the labour market;
2. The transitions and pathways between K-12 and the post-secondary sector must be improved;
3. Qatari young people do not appear to be attracted to TVET options, and this is particularly true for women and girls.
4. There are insufficient number of graduates of knowledge economy disciplines, in particular, technological education, science and engineering, and this is compared to international standards.
5. Sub-sections of higher education operate completely independently of one another in planning and delivery of educational programmes and in research.

In this paper we will highlight the status of TVET education in Qatar, review these challenges and discuss results from a survey and interviews of TVET Senior leaders and program managers, as part of a current research project on Improving and Enriching the Human Capital of Qatar through the Identification and Development of 21st Skills. In addition we will also analyse secondary data gathered from both government and academic research.

Keywords:

21st Century skills, sustainable Development, Qatar Education System, Critical Thinking, Labor Market.