Identification of skills gap between school-based learning and work-based learning in technical and vocational education in Bahrain

The paper presents the identification of the existing skills gap between school-based learning (SBL) and work-based learning (WBL) in technical and vocational education (TVE) system in Bahrain. Several surveys have been formulated and the author has elicited the response of the various stakeholders namely: the teachers, people from HR departments of industrial collaborators and industrial supervisors on these surveys. The aim of this exercise was to find out the stakeholders’ perceptions about the existing gap between the students’ skills and industry requirements in three skills dimensions; cognitive, psychomotor, and affective. The surveys’ responses were statistically analysed and it was obvious that a considerable skills gap exists between the industrial requirements and labour market skills.

Keywords – School Based Learning (SBL) – Work Based Learning (WBL) – Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) – employability skills gap