Without a degree and the knowhow and tools to face challenges, life is tough indeed. Enter vocational or trade schools offering short courses. In Kuwait, a few trade schools offer training programs for individuals who want to stand out amid the sea of people seeking jobs in the market.
Trade institutions are designed to provide vocational education or technical skills training required by the job market. Post-secondary education, vocational schools are traditionally distinguished from four-year colleges by their focus on job-specific training to students who are typically bound for one of the skilled trades, rather than providing academic training for students pursuing careers in a professional discipline.

Kuwait Times spoke to Jenny Reyes, the director in charge of operations at the International Institute of Computer Science and Administration (ICSA Kuwait), located on Fahd Al-Salem Street. ICSA is a private education provider operating in Kuwait since 2001.
"Our students are individuals who are passionate about self-improvement. Many are adult learners, but we welcome students as young as 13 of various nationalities. We aim to empower our learners with modern essential skills to make them competent and job ready or to improve their chances of career growth," she said.

Local training courses, however, are facing growing competition from online workshops and training as well as pop up workshops. Nowadays anyone that wants to learn to code can teach themselves online through a variety of free or very affordable options. Similarly many other professional skills including typing, graphic design, computer skills, computer repair, web development and design, motion graphics, AutoCad and much more can be learned online. Management courses offered by globally recognized universities are also increasingly available online for self starters interested in growing their professional skills and development.

Many motivated self learners can even find online degree programs (though these are not yet recognized in Kuwait) for obtaining bachelor degrees or other post graduate degrees and diplomas.
For those seeking local workshops and courses, there are an increasing number of pop up classes hosted by local community organizations, businesses and cafes in animation, media, drawing, graphic design, claymation, calligraphy, writing and more.

By Ben Garcia