A sample survey analysis of the effectiveness of training and development initiatives in Bahrain’s financial sector on employability of Bahraini nationals in 2015, Dr. Subhadra Ganguli and Reem Matar
Dr. Subhadra Ganguli, Reem Hameed Matar
Department of Accounting and Economics
Ahlia University, Manama
Bahrain
Email: sganguli@ahlia.edu.bh
DOI: 10.1108/WJEMSD-05-2016-0026
Purpose: Bahrain has been the center for financial services industry in the Middle East since 1970s as a result of the national strategy of diversification of its economy from oil-based resources to financial services. Since then Bahrain has also become the center for training and development for the Bahraini nationals with the aim of recruiting Bahrainis as employees of choice by the sector. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of training and development initiatives on the employability of Bahrainis in the financial services sector in 2015. To this end, pioneering initiatives were undertaken by the government in creating institutions for training and continuous education in Bahrain. The Economic Vision 2030 of Bahrain lays emphasis on a vibrant private sector with Bahrainis being the employees of choice.
Design/methodology/approach: The study is a mixed approach using quantitative and qualitative methods through the use of a survey questionnaire and secondary data to analyze the impact of training and development on the employability of Bahraini nationals in the financial sector as of 2015.
Findings: The findings show that training and development lead to career progression which impact employability rates of Bahrainis in the financial services sector for the selected sample of financial sector employees.
Research limitations/implications: The study is limited by only a cross-section of data collected via questionnaire and does not consider the historical development and analysis of employability rates in Bahrain over the years. The questionnaire has some limitations and there are expected possible biases in the responses.
Originality/value: Given the sensitivity of the topic of research, the analysis has policy implications for the labor market of Bahrain due to the Bahrain 2030 Vision of privatization and diversification and is the first study of its kind for the financial sector of Bahrain.
Keywords: Bahrain; Employability; Labour market; Diversification; Financial services industry; Career progression.
Citation: Ganguli, S. and Matar, R.H. (2016), "A sample survey analysis of the effectiveness of training and development initiatives in Bahrain’s financial sector on employability of Bahraini nationals in 2015", World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 359-383. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJEMSD-05-2016-0026
