Training model to develop the Qatar workforce using emerging learning technologies
Authors: Ally Mohamed 
Published: November 2013

The Qatar National Vision aims at “transforming Qatar into an advanced country by 2030, capable of sustaining its own development and providing for a high standard of living for all of its people for generations to come”. The grand challenge of Human Capacity Development aims to develop sustainable talent for Qatar's knowledge economy in order to meet the needs for a high-quality workforce. In order for Qatar to achieve its 2030 National Vision and become an advanced country by 2030, it has to train its citizens to function in a globalized and competitive world. Important skills for Qatari to function in the 21st century are communication and use of emerging technologies skills. This presentation will propose a training model to develop the Qatar workforce for the 21st century using emerging learning technologies. The training model was based on a mobile learning research project funded by the Qatar Foundation through the Qatar National Research Fund. The project is a collaborative research project with Qatar University, Qatar Petroleum, Qatar Wireless Innovation Centre, and Athabasca University, Canada. The project developed and implemented training lessons on Communication Skills for the oil and gas industry using mobile technology to deliver the training. The workers were employed at Qatar Petroleum and completed the training as part of their professional development to improve their English communication skills. Results from the project showed that workers performance improved after they completed the training and they reported that use of mobile technology to deliver the training provides flexibility for learning on the job. They suggested that the training should be more interactive and game-like. This is important since today's young workers are comfortable using mobile technologies and they need to be motivated to learn using the mobile technologies. The proposed Qatar National Training Model (QNTM) (Figure 1) is based on the mobile learning research project funded by the Qatar Foundation through the Qatar National Research Fund. In the QNTM, the learner/trainee/worker is at the center of the learning since the goal of training is to provide the knowledge and skills to improve workers' performance on the job. The design of the training must follow good learning design principles including preparing the learner for the training, providing activities for the learners to complete to improve their knowledge and skills, allowing learners to practice to improve their performance, certifying learners based on their performance, and providing opportunities for learners to transfer what they learn to the job environment. The delivery of the training should be flexible using a blended approach that includes face-to-face, hands-on, E-learning, mobile learning, and online learning. A variety of learning strategies such as practice with feedback, tutorials, simulations, games, and problem solving can be used depending on the learning outcomes to be achieved. The proposed Qatar National Training Model will allow for learner-centered training, lifelong learning, just-in-time learning, learning in context, developing skills required for 21st century learning, and interaction between learners and between learners and the trainer using social media.