The Association of Lebanese Industrialists, in partnership with the International Labour Organization, prepared a study with the aim of identifying the labour market’s needs for technical skills and starting from there towards reviewing the training programs offered in institutes and schools in a way that allows for the development of institutions and enables them to build the capabilities of employees and thus achieve the desired growth by raising their productivity according to scientific foundations.

This initiative comes as part of the multiple initiatives in which the Association of Lebanese Industrialists and the International Labour Organization cooperated with the aim of creating a link and networking between the labour market and the available training and educational programs and to shed light on the needs of the labour market on the one hand and the role of employers in contributing to the growth of these sectors on the other hand and working to update educational programs and support vocational education. The study also presents ways to rehabilitate employees or workers who have lost their jobs and direct them according to the needs of the labor market.

The study, which surveyed more than 140 industrialists, concluded by stressing the importance of regularly collecting data in order to make evidence-based decisions regarding relevant social and economic policies, including skills and employment policies, and considered that skills anticipation is of paramount importance in terms of building a skilled workforce that is in line with labour market needs, technological progress, and social inclusion. It stressed that skills development and decent work motivate the workforce, commitment, continuous career ambition and career development, lifelong learning and productivity growth, which drives business continuity and provides resilience to shocks and major factors of change in labour markets and businesses. It considered that public-private sector partnerships and joint efforts to build a better and more competitive workforce and a suitable ecosystem for companies are essential for the country’s future social and economic recovery plan. In addition to the periodicity of conducting continuous training for employees.

The study showed that there is a significant shortage in the labor market in the required skills. While job efficiency is generally satisfactory, technical skills are lacking, especially for technicians and administrative roles. The figures show that 75 percent of the institutions participating in the survey need technicians, especially in the fields of electricity, mechanics, CNC (Computer Numerical Control), HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), welding and sales, among others.

About 50 percent of the participants complained about the shortage of workers, while 62 percent have vacancies, which highlights the extent of the shortage in the labor market. Job opportunities are available, but the shortage of skilled workers prevents meeting the high demand in the market. The demand for technicians is expected to remain high, with the increasing need for IT and AI skills for automated systems, especially for roles in: Programmable Logic Controllers, Human Machine Interface (PLC) HMI and Computer Numerical Control (CNC).

The study noted that women and youth participation in the sector’s work areas is low due to the devaluation of industrial work, low participation in vocational and technical education and training, and youth migration. It also found that environmental skills are not a priority for organizations, although some companies with green initiatives have trained employees in relevant processes.

The report was developed within the framework of the ILO Global Programme on Skills and Lifelong Learning (GPSL3) – SKILL-UP Lebanon – Phase II supported by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).

The report can be downloaded using this link.