Doha, Qatar: In response to Qatar’s dynamic job market landscape, the Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC) plans to develop a national framework for career guidance and development.

It will integrate the best practices and innovative methodologies to ensure consistency in career counselling services, said Saad Abdulla Al Kharji, Career Programmes and Services Manager at QCDC, while discussing the center’s future plans.

QCDC, founded by Qatar Foundation, remains at the forefront of innovation and research, aiming to shape the future of career guidance and workforce development in the country.

“Looking ahead, QCDC plans to expand its network of stakeholders by collaborating with more local and international partners. This will involve engaging with educational institutions, government agencies, and private sector organisations to create a comprehensive career guidance network,” Al Kharji told The Peninsula.

“Our digital platforms will be enhanced to provide more accessible online career counselling services, leveraging technology to offer personalised guidance and continuously updating our resources to reflect the latest job market trends,” he added.

QCDC is committed to lifelong learning, offering programmes that cater to different life stages, from early education to mid-career transitions.

“We will continue to promote research and innovation, conducting studies to stay ahead of emerging job market trends and participating in international conferences to exchange knowledge. Inclusivity and accessibility will remain a priority, with initiatives supporting underrepresented groups in the job market, such as individuals with learning difficulties,” said Al Kharji.

“Our efforts will align with Qatar’s vision for economic, human, and social development, supporting the nation’s transition to a knowledge-based economy and contributing to sustainable human capital development. By focusing on these key areas, QCDC aims to lead the way in career guidance and development, ensuring individuals in Qatar are well-prepared to thrive in a dynamic and evolving job market,” he added.

Over the years, QCDC has conducted extensive research involving a variety of stakeholders from government, private sector, students, graduates, and parents. This research has informed the creation of new initiatives and programmes aimed at benefiting youth and positively impacting the labour market. Research papers such as “The Role of Career Guidance in the Preparation, Placement and Development of Qatar National Workforce” have provided critical insights.

QCDC also actively participates in international conferences of Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA), International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance (IAEVG), International Centre for Career Development and Public Policy (ICCDPP), and National Career Development Association (NCDA), where it shares its findings and learns from global career practitioners and researchers.

“This international engagement allows QCDC to identify and address challenges in Qatar’s career guidance system while proposing effective solutions. Partnering up with international stakeholders, QCDC has also implemented the Career Advising System (CAS), tailored to Qatar’s socio-cultural context,” said Al Kharji.

“This system, based on the Kuder platform, offers comprehensive career planning services in Arabic and English, benefiting over 20,000 students and counsellors in Qatar’s public secondary schools.  By continuously monitoring career guidance concepts and practices, locally and globally, QCDC ensures it remains at the forefront of supporting Qatar’s youth in navigating the dynamic job market landscape,” he added.