Launch of GCC Digital Jobs report with LinkedIn

The Ideation Center teamed up with LinkedIn to shed light on the major supply and demand challenges facing the GCC’s digital job market, and draw a comprehensive road map that will help GCC governments engaging in ambitious national transformation plans to develop and retain digital skills, as well as create high-value jobs across the digital sector.

Following months of work, both firms jointly published their findings in a report entitled “Empowering the GCC digital workforce: Building adaptable skills in the digital era,” authored by Ali Matar, head of LinkedIn EMEA Emerging Markets, Middle East and Africa; and our own Samer Bohsali, Sevag Papazian, and Melissa Rizk.

Highlights from the report:

• Digital jobs account for just 1.7% of the total GCC workforce, compared to 5.4% in the EU
• GCC’s digital professionals' skills are not aligned to the digital age requirements
• Digital job creation requires private sector partnerships

On Monday, October 2, we hosted a media roundtable at LinkedIn’s offices in Dubai to launch the report. Ali Matar and Samer Bohsali presented the key findings of the study and addressed questions. They were also joined by Her Excellency Dr. Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, director general of the Smart Dubai Office, who revealed the most recent digital initiatives her office has put into practice and how such technologies are maximizing economic benefits.

We have also produced additional material that complements the report, including a media-friendly report and an infographic, all of which are hosted on a dedicated microsite