McKinsey.org Forward in the Middle East & Pakistan

Ready to advance your career? Take a step Forward.

McKinsey.org Forward is a free ten-week learning program designed to equip individuals at different stages of their careers – from career starters to job changers – with practical skills to succeed in the future of work.

What you can expect

Whether you are in the early days of your career or navigating a new opportunity, the Forward learning journey will help you develop new ways of thinking, expand your skill set and grow your confidence.

At the end of the program, you will receive a McKinsey.org Forward digital badge and join an exclusive global network of life-long learners.

Interactive learning journey

Variety of formats: digital courses, virtual-learning events, assignments, and reflection exercises
Dedicating about two hours a week over ten weeks

Workplace skills you can use immediately

Gain the skills and tools to do the following:

Turn business problems into opportunities by using structured and creative thinking.
Communicate in a clear and impactful way that makes your audience take action.
Identify opportunities to use digital and emerging AI-enabled solutions in responsible and impactful ways.
Be adaptable and build emotional awareness for working in a team or alone, especially in times of change.
Build strong relationships and maintain your well-being at work.
Develop your digital tool kit and plan to navigate the modern digital world.

Eligibility criteria

To access McKinsey.org Forward, you must meet the following criteria:

Currently reside in the Middle East region (currently, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen) and Pakistan
Are working or have prior work experience (including internships or apprenticeships), or are preparing to start work sometime in the next 12 months
Have less than 5 years of total work experience**
Have completed at least a high school education or equivalent (e.g., GED)
Have a good command of English (the program is conducted in English)

**Applicants with more than 5 years of experience may still be eligible if they work in the nonprofit/NGO sector, a non-corporate setting, or in non-managerial roles.

Mark your growth

Earn the McKinsey.org Forward badge

Participants who complete the Core Skills level will earn a personalized digital badge, which is shareable across social media and other digital channels.

FEATURED INSIGHTS

Forward alumni gather in Nigeria (left) and Saudi Arabia as part of a connectivity challenge

McKinsey Blog

Scaling Forward: McKinsey.org’s commitment to building people’s skills, confidence, and connection

March 25, 2025 -

The McKinsey.org Forward program has empowered over 500,000 participants worldwide, helping them build the resilience, confidence, and skills necessary to overcome career challenges and make a meaningful impact. As the workplace continues to evolve, so does the importance of continuous learning.

What Forward alumni are saying

Meet Abdelrahman

As a fresh graduate from Egypt, Abdelrahman was on the lookout to gain an extra edge in his first job. Forward gave him practical skills and frameworks that helped him stand out at work. What made an even bigger difference for him was the opportunity to interact with a global network of young professionals.

Meet Bedour

Bedour, a graphic designer from the United Arab Emirates, reveals how her fear of failure sometimes gets in her way. She describes the practical thinking tools she acquired and the mindset shift she experienced thanks to the McKinsey.org Forward program.