Bahrain’s Labour Fund Tamkeen has inked a deal with Zain Bahrain to funnel young nationals into the telco’s CODE 2030 programme—an 18-month track that blends classroom learning, industry certifications and paid rotations across Zain’s tech teams.
CODE 2030 targets fresh ICT graduates and early-career developers, offering training in cloud, cybersecurity and full-stack development plus mentorship from Zain engineers. Participants earn global credentials while tackling live projects that support Zain’s 5G rollout and digital-services roadmap, then transition to full-time roles. For Tamkeen, the partnership checks two strategic boxes: it places Bahrainis in high-value tech jobs and arms them with skills the labour market chronically lacks. ICT already sits among the fastest-growing segments of Bahrain’s non-oil GDP, yet companies still import specialist talent; Tamkeen wants Bahrainis to fill that gap.
The fund will subsidise trainee salaries and certification fees, while Zain supplies instructors and project leads—mirroring earlier Tamkeen tie-ups with Citi and Fives Group under the Global Ready Talent umbrella. CODE 2030’s first cohorts have access to Tamkeen’s Kawader portal for follow-up placements and to StartUp Bahrain’s community events, widening their career options beyond telcos. The programme also aligns with the national Economic Recovery Plan, which targets 10,000 Bahrainis trained each year in emerging tech. With ICT accounting for roughly 30 per cent of SME GDP contribution, policymakers see digital skills as a multiplier across sectors from fintech to logistics.
Graduates and junior developers can apply for the next CODE 2030 intake via Zain Bahrain’s careers portal.
