As Qatar accelerates its shift toward a knowledge-based economy, the government is placing renewed emphasis on equipping its youth with practical, future-ready skills. With rapid advancements in AI, cybersecurity, and green technologies reshaping industries worldwide, Qatar is aligning its education strategy to ensure graduates are prepared for both local and global job markets.

To support this effort, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education has increased its investment in technical and vocational education, launching targeted initiatives to modernize curricula and infrastructure across the country.

Engineer Hashem Mohammed Al-Sada, Director of the Vocational, Technical, and Specialized Education Department, emphasized the growing global importance of TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training). “TVET is no longer an alternative or secondary option. It is now a global priority, with many countries seeking skilled graduates who can contribute from day one,” he said in a recent interview with Qatar TV.

Al-Sada noted that public perceptions in Qatar have shifted, with more families recognizing the value of vocational pathways. “Students in technical schools spend up to 40 percent of their time in labs, developing practical skills. By the time they graduate, they are job-ready and can begin contributing immediately to the workplace,” he explained.

To support personalized learning, schools now offer career counseling to help students align their skills with market needs. “A student may aspire to one field but excel in another. Counselors help navigate these decisions and guide students toward areas where they are most likely to succeed,” he added.

Qatar is also phasing out outdated disciplines and introducing in-demand fields such as cybersecurity and AI. As part of this strategy, the Ministry will open a technical secondary school for girls in Al Shamal in 2025 and four new STEM schools by 2027.