BEIRUT (ILO News) – The Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI), in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), has conducted a study to identify the technical skill needs of Lebanon’s labour market. The findings aim to guide the reform of training programmes offered by institutes and schools, fostering institutional growth and enhancing employee capabilities to drive productivity and achieve sustainable growth based on scientific principles.
This initiative is part of ongoing collaborative efforts between ALI and the ILO to bridge the gap between labour market demands and available educational and training programmes. The study highlights the role of employers in fostering sector growth and underscores the importance of updating educational curricula and supporting vocational education. It also explores strategies to retrain and redirect displaced workers to meet labour market needs.
The study, which surveyed over 140 industrialists, emphasises the importance of regular data collection for evidence-based policymaking in social and economic domains, including skills and employment policies. It underscores the value of skills anticipation in developing a workforce aligned with market demands, technological advancements, and social inclusion. Skills development and decent work were identified as key motivators for workforce engagement, continuous career progression, lifelong learning, and productivity improvements, all of which enhance business resilience and sustainability. Public-private partnerships and coordinated efforts to build a competitive workforce and create an enabling ecosystem for companies are essential for Lebanon’s social and economic recovery. Periodic employee training was also deemed critical.
The study revealed a significant skills shortage in the labour market. While general job efficiency is adequate, technical skills—particularly for technicians and administrative roles—are lacking. According to the findings, 75 per cent of surveyed institutions expressed an urgent need for technicians in fields such as electricity, mechanics, CNC (Computer Numerical Control), HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), welding, and sales.
Approximately 50 per cent of participants reported worker shortages, while 62 per cent noted job vacancies, highlighting the acute demand-supply imbalance in the labour market. The demand for technicians is projected to remain high, especially as IT and AI skills for automated systems grow increasingly important. Key areas of focus include Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Human Machine Interface (HMI), and CNC.
The study also pointed to low participation of women and youth in the industrial sector, attributing this to the undervaluation of industrial work, limited involvement in vocational and technical education, and youth migration. Additionally, the report found that environmental skills are not prioritised by most organisations, although some companies with green initiatives have trained employees in related areas.
The report was developed as part of the ILO Global Programme on Skills and Lifelong Learning (GPSL3) – SKILL-UP Lebanon – Phase II, with support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).
