Manama: Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development said that it would use the sixth annual Qatar Career Fair to recruit nationals for wide spectrum of opportunities.

The fair on April 1-6 is expected to feature over 140 public and private institutions and exhibitors will be offering extensive training and recruitment opportunities to Qataris, in order to hone their skills and help them achieve their nation’s development goals, the foundation said in a statement emailed to Gulf News.

“In keeping with the country’s commitment to provide capable Qataris with the best career prospects, the Human Resources Directorate at Qatar Foundation will be looking to employ candidates in numerous fields, such as information technology, engineering, media, and finance,” it said.

Qatar, like the other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, has been heavily reliant on foreigners, with reports claiming that 15 million expatriates work and live in the Gulf.

However, for political, social and economic considerations, a new drive has emerged in the GCC countries to recruit locals in most areas and to restrict the number of foreigners.

The Foundation said that the employment opportunities would be open to nationals with varying experience, from entry-level graduates to more qualified professionals. Younger applicants are encouraged to apply for internships and entry-level positions, so as to develop the necessary expertise for the job market.

“At Qatar Foundation, there are many areas of specialisation on offer for job seekers to explore and pursue. Employment at Qatar Foundation guarantees young Qataris a secure future and valuable work experience, while helping them make an important contribution to building their country’s future,” Hassan Al Hammadi, Executive Director of the Human Resources Directorate, said.

“Although Qatar Foundation is made up of a vast number of organisations and centres, they are all working to achieve the same goal, that of recruiting and training new talent to advance the nation’s knowledge economy. We encourage all Qataris who are keen to embark upon an exciting career path to attend this year’s fair and participate in the exceptional training programmes that are available at Qatar Foundation.”

During the six-day event, Qataris are encouraged to meet representatives from the education, science and community development divisions and other Qatari employees to learn about their professional experience and to seek their guidance.

“Qatar Career Fair provides an excellent setting for job seekers to impress potential employers through face-to-face meetings,” the Foundation said. “Students visiting the Qatar Foundation booth will receive valuable one-on-one coaching sessions to show them how to put together a winning CV, prepare adequately for a job interview and answer questions successfully when meeting with a potential employer.”

Those who are uncertain about their future career paths will benefit from counselling services and psychometric tests, specifically designed to help them choose a meaningful vocation.

Qualified applicants will be able to learn about the different departments and career paths available to them at the Foundation.

According to the Foundation, dozens of candidates every year secure offers for full-time employment and go on to pursue work with the organisation.

More than 40,000 visitors are expected at the fair.