Qatar Career Development Center Concludes Record-Breaking ‘My Career – My Future’ Programme

Doha: The Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), a member of Qatar Foundation, has successfully concluded the eighth edition of its flagship “My Career – My Future” job-shadowing programme, marking its largest edition to date and reinforcing Qatar’s commitment to preparing young people for the future workforce.

The five-day initiative brought together more than 350 secondary school students from across Qatar, providing them with first-hand workplace experience through 33 host organisations representing a wide range of industries. Organised in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Sports and Youth, and the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau, the programme aimed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world careers.

The closing ceremony, held at Multaqa, Education City Student Center, was attended by senior government officials, representatives of partner organisations, career development stakeholders, participating students, parents, and host institutions.

During the event, Saad Abdulla Al-Kharji, Executive Director of QCDC, described the programme as the most extensive in its history, highlighting the strong collaboration between government, education, and industry.

He said the initiative demonstrates how national partnerships can provide young people with earlier and more meaningful exposure to the workplace while strengthening career guidance as a shared national responsibility. According to Al-Kharji, this collaborative approach helps lay stronger foundations for the next generation of Qatar’s workforce.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to helping students make informed academic and career choices. He noted that the programme enables students to connect classroom knowledge with practical workplace experience while broadening their understanding of future education and employment opportunities.

Students who completed the programme received certificates recognising their participation and the practical training they gained throughout the week.

Running from August 2 to 6, the programme allowed participants to shadow professionals across multiple sectors, including healthcare, aviation, banking, technology, media, engineering, transport, cybersecurity, sports, and public services. The experience offered valuable insights into professional environments while helping students better understand the skills and qualifications required for different careers.

One of the standout features of this year’s edition was its focus on inclusivity. For the first time, students with disabilities and additional learning needs took part in the programme, reflecting QCDC’songoing efforts to expand access to career development opportunities. The initiative also welcomed students from Assalam Schools through a partnership with the Education Above All Foundation.

The programme concluded with a University Fair, giving participants the opportunity to explore higher education pathways and connect their workplace experiences with future academic aspirations.

By combining career guidance, workplace exposure and collaboration with leading organisations, QCDC’s “My Career – My Future” programme continues to play a key role in developing skilled national talent and supporting Qatar’s long-term vision of building a knowledge-based economy.