Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry (QCCI) has partnered with UK-based City and Guilds to set up a vocational centre in Doha aimed at honing national skills.

The QCCI said it will serve as the link between City and Guilds and the companies and organizations that would like to use their services.

Commenting on the pact, QCCI board member Ibtihaj Al Ahmadani, said, 'Through this we can hone the skills and talents of our youth and it is by providing the right vocational training, that we can develop and build a healthy nation and well-equipped citizens.'

Highlighting the benefits that will unfold through this collaboration, Ibtihaj said 'QCCI will co-ordinate on behalf of those companies, work closely with them and ensure that the needs of both parties are met.'

To add more value to this first-of-its kind partnership, Ibtihaj explained how QCCI can play a key role in the 7th World Chamber Congress in Mexico City and by hosting the 8th World Chambers Federation in 2013.

The QCCI will be able to present and explain to the world how chambers can provide opportunities for all, by presenting this collaboration, the Board member said.

“I am confident that the partnership we are launching today will be a feature of our presentations and conversations with our sister Chambers around the world and used as a best practice example in how individual chambers can build local capacity and improve skills,” Ibtihaj added.

Welcoming the announcement, Remy Rowhani, CEO of the International Chamber of Commerce Qatar (ICC Qatar), emphasized the positive impact of the collaboration, on Qatar and the International Chamber of Commerce community.

'The partnership between City and Guilds and QCCI, by bringing skills training to businesses in Qatar, is making another step in reinforcing Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s role within the ICC community,' he noted.

“Developing skills is central to business growth, which in its turn will ultimately lead to the increases in global trade, prosperity and global partnerships; the core values of the ICC,' Rowhani added.

Amanda Kelleher, regional manager at City and Guilds Group, gave a comprehensive presentation on City and Guilds, its work and services, while highlighting the importance of this newly established partnership, to both QCCI and City and Guilds.

'We as City and Guilds will work with QCCI on developing vocational skills in Qatar. We will set-up a Doha-based vocational education centre, especially tailored to cater to the needs of the country and especially designed to create a national skills development program,' Amanda noted.

“Qatar has unlimited ambitions and developmental plans, so basically by focusing on the development of vocational skills, we will ensure that Qatar will have a capable workforce to support the achievement of these plans and ambitions,' she added.-TradeArabia News Service