By 2030, the deployment of robust training and development infrastructure will mean that Bahrain's domestic population will support its entire low-skilled workforce requirements.

Such is the claim of Dr Yousef Mashal, chairman of the Bahrain Export Development Society, who has told Gulf Daily News that as a result, only highly skilled foreign workers will be able to get work in the country.

"Foreign workers that do not upgrade themselves now and master the skills in their field by 2030 won't be needed because by that time Bahrain will be a highly competitive market," he said.

He added that in order to achieve the 2030 goals, private companies will need to increase their investment in training and development programmes over the coming years to ensure that workers get the education they require to operate in a constantly evolving industry.

In other regional developments, Dr Abdulhussain Mirza, Bahraini oil minister and National Oil and Gas Authority chairman, told attendees at the Get Energy Global Education and Training event in refining and petrochemicals, that oil and gas training programmes for the domestic workforce will help meets the demands of Bahrain's energy industry.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development.