QCDC Concludes Seventh and Largest Edition of Career Village

 

3240 secondary school students explore careers with 40 organizations across 13 sectors at Qatar’s largest interactive career exploration event

 

 

 

Doha, Qatar – 30 September 2026 – Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), founded by Qatar Foundation, today concluded the seventh and largest edition of Career Village, which welcomed more than 3240 secondary school students from 160 public, private, and international schools for three days of hands-on career exploration.

Held from 28-30 September at KidZania Doha, the Village was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Ministry of Labour, and the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau. This year’s edition brought together 40 public and private sector organizations representing 13 economic sectors central to Qatar’s development.

Interactive activities, simulations, and workshops gave students a closer look at the day-to-day responsibilities, skills, and requirements of different professions. In conversations with professionals, they explored fields of work they had not previously considered and connected their interests with future study and career options.

Inclusion was a particular highlight of this year’s Career Village, which welcomed dozens of students with special needs and mild to moderate learning difficulties, including participants from Best Buddies Qatar and students from Awsaj Academy’s Career Readiness Program and the Audio Education Complex. Representatives of the Autism Parents Platform also took part.

“Firsthand experience gives students a clearer understanding of their interests and the requirements of the professions that appeal to them,” said Saad Abdulla Al-Kharji, Executive Director of QCDC. “The value of Career Village lies in how students build on that awareness after their visit, through conversations with family and counselors and continued exploration. Our partnerships with government entities and employers help students understand the opportunities available to them and connect their aspirations with Qatar’s need for skilled professionals.”

Ibrahim Abdullah Al Muhannadi, Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, said Career Village gives students practical opportunities to explore workplace environments and try the tools used in different professions, helping them make informed decisions about their university majors and future careers. He highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to aligning educational outcomes with labor market needs and Qatar’s development priorities. He also emphasized the importance of diverse academic and career pathways, spanning science and technology, the humanities, social sciences, and other fields that together help build a skilled, well-rounded national workforce and support Qatar National Vision 2030.

Yaqoub Saleh Al Ishaq, Director of Civil Service Affairs at the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau, said: “Preparing Qatari talent starts early, by helping students make choices informed by their abilities, ambitions, and government workforce needs. As a strategic partner of Career Village’s seventh edition, we provide practical experiences that introduce students to in-demand fields and link their study choices to scholarship plans and Qatar’s current and future employment needs.” He added: “We also inform academic counselors and parents about available pathways so they can offer realistic, informed guidance. Together, these efforts help students choose fields suited to their potential, align education with government needs, and prepare Qatari professionals to contribute to national goals.”

The Ministry of Labour took part through its Departments of Qualifying and Skills Development and National Workforce Employment. Its participation introduced students to labor market expectations and the skills required across different professions, supporting the ministry’s efforts to strengthen career guidance for young people and prepare Qatari talent for the future. By engaging directly with students, the ministry emphasized the value of early career guidance in helping them make education and career decisions that reflect both their abilities and labor market needs. These efforts contribute to developing Qatar’s workforce, aligning education with employment needs, and preparing qualified Qataris to support national development and the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.

 

The final day featured a panel discussion, “Beyond the Field: Exploring Diverse Career Pathways in the Military Sector,” examining roles in engineering, medicine, law, cybersecurity, advanced technologies, and operations across the military and security sectors. The discussion considered opportunities for Qatari professionals, the skills needed to succeed, and how attracting specialists strengthens the capabilities of institutions in these sectors.

Moderated by QCDC, the panel brought together representatives from the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), and other partner organizations. Speakers shared their education and career journeys and success stories. Their experiences gave counselors a fuller understanding of the roles and specializations across both sectors, helping them guide students and others who use their services.

Career Village also enabled more than 230 academic and career counselors and educators to exchange insights with representatives from different sectors, helping them support students as they explore their options after the event. Students learned about career guidance services, training and volunteering opportunities, and job-shadowing programs that can deepen their understanding of the world of work.

 

Participating organizations from the security sector included the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya); the Unified Standing Committee for the Selection of Military Officer Candidates; the General Directorate of Drug Enforcement; the General Directorate of Civil Defence; the General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security; Ras Laffan Emergency and Safety College at the Police Academy; the National Cyber Security Agency; and the Police College.

Education sector participants included Qatar University; the University of Doha for Science and Technology; Qatar Finance and Business Academy; Barzan University College; the Academic Bridge Program; Aspire Academy; ScorePlus Qatar; and Qatar National Library.

The energy and utilities sectors were represented by QatarEnergy, QatarEnergy LNG, and Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa). Qatar Rail, Qatar Airways, and Qatar Aeronautical Academy represented transport, logistics, and aviation, while Vodafone Qatar, CamelCode Academy, and mXreality participated from the technology sector.

Other participating organizations included Aspetar, the orthopedic and sports medicine hospital; Hamad Medical Corporation; Al Meera Consumer Goods Company; Al Jazeera Perfumes; Rayyan Mineral Water Company; Sout Al Khaleej Radio; Qatar Red Crescent Society; the Ministry of Municipality’s Waste Recycling and Treatment Department; the Investment and Trade Court; the National Group for Agriculture and Animal Products (Mazzraty); and Qatar National Bank.

Career Village forms part of QCDC’s broader portfolio of job-shadowing and experiential learning programs, delivered in collaboration with partners across Qatar’s career guidance and development ecosystem. These programs emphasize direct exposure to the world of work as a way to build career awareness among students at every stage of education.