7 Most In-Demand Skills in Bahrain for 2025

Bahrain is moving toward a robust digital future. As part of its Economic Vision 2030, the government is emphasizing digital transformation to create a knowledge-based and sustainable economy. To make this a reality, Bahrain's National Taskforce is set to provide 11,000 jobs annually.

Nevertheless, there are some sectors that are short of skilled professionals. To bridge this gap, the nation is recruiting both local and foreign professionals.

In this article, we will discuss the most sought-after skills in Bahrain.

Key Aspects of Work Culture in Bahrain

Knowing about the work culture in Bahrain can help you perform better at the workplace. Here are some of the notable aspects of Bahrain. 

Diverse Workforce

The majority of workers in Bahrain's labor force come from outside the country, particularly the financial sector and healthcare industry, together with construction. Workplaces in Bahrain operate with multiple cultural backgrounds, which demands flexible employees who honor different traditions. Business operations in Bahrain are run using English and Arabic as the official language.

Workweek and Timing

The official work schedule is from Sunday through Thursday, after which the weekend period starts on Friday. However, businesses in Bahrain operate between 8 AM and 5 PM, but government facilities close earlier in their schedules. Workers at most establishments reduce their daily workload durations throughout the month of Ramadan.

Strong Business Relationships

Professional connections and networking form crucial components of business success in Bahrain. The business meetings start with casual talks that develop into professional discussions. Companies in Bahrain strive to form long-term business partnerships. 

What Skills are in Demand in Bahrain?

According to a recent report by Qureos, the recent boom in tech sectors has led to a high demand for skills, mainly in sectors like finance, technology, engineering, and healthcare sectors.

1. Cybersecurity Skills

The rise in cyberattacks in Bahrain is driving the growth of the country's cybersecurity market. The government has introduced initiatives like the National Cybersecurity Strategy to strengthen security, particularly in banking and financial institutions. Efforts are being made to reduce the frequency of attacks and enhance digital protection across sectors.

However, a few challenges remain unsolved. A shortage of highly skilled cybersecurity experts and the complexity of integrating advanced security solutions into existing systems are slowing progress.

2. Cloud Computing Skills

Bahrain has rapidly embraced cloud adoption, supported by its cloud-first policy. This policy aims to drive digital transformation. As of 2022, almost 70% of workloads have been migrated to the cloud. However, a skill gap in cloud computing and cybersecurity remains a challenge for maximum cloud adoption. Bahrain needs more trained professionals to manage and secure its growing cloud infrastructure to fully capitalize on this shift.

3. Data Analysis Skills

The Bahraini market demands data analysts in greater numbers because an increasing number of businesses adopt data-driven approaches for decision-making. The major corporations Batelco and Gulf Air have adopted this transformative approach through data insights that improve operational effectiveness and customer service quality. The growing demand for data experts has become pronounced after this trend took shape. In fact, Qureos lists Data analysis as one of the top 10 skills to learn in Bahrain.

4. Construction Skills

The Bahrain construction sector will expand to USD 12.56 billion by 2032, according to projections of 4.30% annual growth from 2024-2032. The expansion of Bahrain International Airport through modernization initiatives along with Khalifa bin Salman Port enhancement and the Bahrain Metro Rail Project are the primary drivers behind sector development. Research findings confirm skill shortage continues to be a significant challenge for the industry thus it is essential to develop the workforce at pace with industry needs.

5. Renewable Energy Skills

Bahrain is going green and committed to being Net-Zero by 2060. However, this big change requires a workforce skilled in renewable energy and decarbonization technology to implement sustainable solutions. As Bahrain moves towards these goals, new jobs and skills will be required. This includes a growing demand for professionals in health, safety & environment (HSE) roles to ensure safe and sustainable practices.

6. Hospitality Skills

The Government of Bahrain is promoting tourism through the 'Ours. Yours.' campaign to attract more Asian tourists and all over the world. Plus, under Bahrain's 2022-2026 tourism strategy, the country is set to welcome almost a million tourists in a year. This is driving the tourism industry, hotels are expanding and demand for skilled workers in hospitality and tourism management is increasing.

7. Business English Skills

The demand for English teachers in Bahrain is fueled by its expanding industries, particularly in oil, finance, and tourism, where professionals need strong English skills to manage international dealings, and customer interactions. As Bahrain continues to grow as a global business hub, the emphasis on language proficiency creates a steady demand for skilled educators. Moreover, working in a multicultural environment that values education allows teachers to thrive in a setting that promotes language development and cross-cultural exchange. 

How to Gain In-Demand Skills in the Bahrain Job Market

You can gain in-demand skills by enrolling in government-backed vocational training institutes, corporate training programs and industry recognized certifications. Here are some of the government-backed VETs:

Nasser Centre for Science and Technology (NCST)

NCST provides industry-focused technical education and vocational training to prepare students for the Bahrain job market. It offers specialized courses in engineering design, welding, pipefitting, hydraulics and programmable logic control (PLC). These programs offer learners hands-on skills for careers in manufacturing, automation, and industrial maintenance.

Bahrain Training Institute (BTI)

BTI is under the Ministry of Education and provides vocational programs in business, IT, engineering, hotel and tourism, health and social care, art and even design. These courses are specially designed to provide practical training that meets industry needs and helps students to gain employable skills in various sectors.

National Institute for Industrial Training (NIIT)

NIIT focuses on training professionals for Bahrain's industrial sector. The institution delivers training programs that include project engineering, automotive lessons, oil and gas sector expertise, and vocational education in construction. The institute collaborates with Bahraini industries to design training programs that follow industry specifications so students can learn the technical skills required for technical roles.

Conclusion

The strategic plan Vision 2030 for Bahrain encourages economic growth by driving the need for advanced skilled workers who specialize in fields beyond oil, such as technology, finance, and logistics. Competitiveness demands experts to continually advance their expertise for handling shifting industrial requirements.

Edstellar offers corporate training programs to fill skills gaps and raise the capabilities of the workforce. With Edstellar's Skill Matrix tool, individuals and businesses can evaluate their skill levels based on real-time analysis and visual reports. Using such a tool can aid professionals in catching up with Bahrain's increasing employment market and establishing long-term professional success.