29 Apr 2018 – 8:37
By Fazeena Saleem | The Peninsula
Doha: In a new initiative, Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), member of Qatar Foundation (QF) will inaugurate a special center soon, with an aim to empower children better plan their career paths in line with their potential and the future needs of Qatar’s market.
“QCDC is continuously working on promoting career guidance among youth, this time however with an increasing focus on children,” said Saad Al Kharji, Head of Career Programs and Services, Qatar Career Development at the QCDC.
“Soon, QCDC will inaugurate a career center in an edutainment park to familiarize children of very young age with the concept of career guidance and train them on how to make career choices based on their interests and capabilities,” he told The Peninsula.
QCDC is also preparing for its annual Summer Career Camp, which welcomes secondary school students between July 1 and 12. This year will mark the 5th edition of the attractive two-week event that combines entertainment with education to provide students with first-hand knowledge of workplace environments and give youth a glimpse into career and professional life.
“The camp offers opportunities for site visits and job shadowing programs at leading organizations in Qatar in addition to workshops accompanied by a variety of recreational, sports and educational activities,” said Al Kharji.
While, building on its success in attracting a significant number of students from public schools across Qatar during the Career Village’s first edition in 2017, QCDC recently expanded its reach this year by opening the door for private school students, and the public, to take part in the event.
“The decision, which comes in line with QCDC’s ongoing efforts to promote a culture of career guidance across all segments of Qatari society, has paid off as the number of participants surged,” said Al Kharji.
This year’s Career Village brought together representatives from 40 leading Qatar-based organizations spanning various sectors including education, business and finance, energy and manufacturing, communication and transportation, health, security, media, and culture. The event was aimed at familiarizing Qatari high school students with the dynamics and challenges of Qatar’s labor market and introducing them to different career paths that enable them to best serve their country.
“The second edition of Career Village not only brought an increased number of youth and exhibitors but also unfolded in a vibrant and stimulating environment that featured a myriad of interactive activities to engage students with participating institutions,” said Al Kharji.
