Latest news with #HumanCapabilitiesInitiative
Arab News
14-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia launches National Skills Platform to future-proof workforce
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has launched a National Skills Platform to equip its workforce with future-ready capabilities and align national talent with global trends, according to a top official. The Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi made the announcement during his keynote speech at the Human Capabilities Initiative, where he described human capital as 'the defining variable of global prosperity.' He highlighted the Kingdom's commitment to using advanced technology, specifically artificial intelligence, to modernize and improve its training and workforce development systems. 'We are proud to take another step forward and announce a new initiative, the National Skills Platform, designed ... to empower our workforce and strengthen our national talent base with essential skills for the future,' Al-Rajhi said. He added: 'The platform represents a milestone in our journey that offers a unique and simple, agile journey, ensuring that every employee is equipped to meet the changing requirements of the labor market.' By leveraging AI, the government aims to create smarter, more efficient training pathways tailored to individuals' needs and aligned with the demands of local and global labor markets. 'This is part of our responsibility in providing accessible, high-quality training opportunities for all to drive personal growth and national development,' said Al-Rajhi. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to address global labor shifts driven by AI and automation. 'By 2030, over 92 million jobs will become obsolete as automation and artificial intelligence change the way industries and people operate,' Al-Rajhi stated. He added: 'At the same time, entirely new industries and roles are emerging at an expected rate. The global skills gap is widening, with nearly 40 percent of skills expected to change and 63 percent of their employers already identifying their biggest challenge in finding qualified talent.' He pointed to specific challenges in the technology sector, particularly in global cybersecurity, which alone faces a talent gap of 3.4 million workers. AI-related roles also remain largely unfilled, with a 50 percent hiring gap. In response, the Kingdom has adopted a demand-driven workforce strategy. 'We have set up 13 sector skill councils consisting of over 240 million members from public and private sectors. These councils are responsible for identifying skills and job requirements and how to address them,' Al-Rajhi said. In partnership with the Human Capability Development Program, Saudi Arabia launched the Skills Accelerator Initiative in March 2023 to train more than 300,000 individuals 'with expertise in high-growth sectors such as energy, healthcare, finance, and retail.' A parallel track aimed at women's employment exceeded its initial target by 22 percent, with a reported 92 percent retention rate among trainees. Reflecting on the initiative, Al-Rajhi said: 'We do this by analyzing what the market needs in collaboration with businesses, educational institutions and experts, then we give access to this training to every individual possible, regardless of their location, by blending virtual learning with hands-on training.' He continued: 'Technical expertise alone is not enough. Leadership, strategic thinking, and adaptability are equally important, and skilling and reskilling for the workforce is a national priority that all stakeholders should engage in.' The minister also highlighted the Waad National Training Campaign, describing it as an investment in 'the promise of human potential.' Launched in March 2023, Waad delivered over 1 million training opportunities in its first phase. A second phase was introduced in November, aiming to reach 3 million opportunities with support from 16 public and private sector partners. The initiatives are supported by a growing network of more than 70 training institutions and over 45,000 businesses. Expanding beyond national borders, Al-Rajhi announced the government has extended its Talent Enrichment Program globally through the Professional Accreditation Program that is enabling professionals in 160 countries to gain globally recognized credentials. He added: 'Our aim is to enhance global workforce mobility and competitiveness with over 1,300 accredited professionals. This initiative recognizes globalization, and it is a demand for global talent development and integration.' In another announcement during the forum, Saudi Arabia revealed that the National Occupational Safety and Health Institute will be launched during the 7th International Conference on Occupational Safety and Health. The institute, a partnership between the Technical and Vocational Training Corp. and the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, aims to train over 35,000 individuals in occupational safety, health, and risk management within five years. In a panel session, Khalid Al-Sabti, advisor of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers and chairman of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, emphasized the impact of education quality on economic growth. 'At ETEC, our vision is to become a globally leading and high-impact Saudi model for equality and contribute directly to the national development and economic prosperity,' Al-Sabti said. He continued: 'We partnered with international global organizations to study the impact of education quality to economic growth, and currently, we are finalizing a study with the World Bank, and the findings are very encouraging and promising.' He stated that if Saudi Arabia improves the quality of its education system to match or exceed global standards, it could see significant improvements in its economic growth, particularly in its annual gross domestic product. In the past, the emphasis was largely on the number of years students spent in school, based on the assumption that more schooling would lead to stronger economies. 'Traditionally, education, measured by … the years of schooling has been seen as a major driver for economic growth. However, recently, studies show that there is a shift from the education quantity to education quality,' Al-Rajhi said. He added: 'Cognitive skills measured by international exams such as PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) has shown that it's more important and critical for driving economic growth compared to simply years spent in the school.'
Arab News
14-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Venture Capital CEO highlights Kingdom's investments to boost innovation
RIYADH: A Saudi government backed venture capital firm has invested in over 50 funds in various sectors and stages, according to its CEO, underscoring the Kingdom's strong commitment to fostering innovation. On the second day of the Human Capabilities Initiative in Riyadh, Saudi Venture Capital's Nabeel Koshak emphasized the growing prominence of national startups. During a panel discussion titled 'Powering Venture Capital Investments to Turbo Boost Innovation in HCD,' Koshhak, said: 'Since inception, we invested in more than 56 funds, we are across multiple sectors, multiple stages.' He added: 'It's good to shed the light on the amazing entrepreneurs and startups being launched here in Saudi Arabia and now going global. And also the companies that are starting globally, originally, and also expanding in Saudi Arabia.' The CEO specifically commended Classera, a Saudi-born education tech company now operating in over 40 countries, calling it a 'learning super-platform' with 50 million global users. Also appearing on the panel, Dong-Su Kim, CEO of LG Technology Ventures in the US, shared insights into corporate venture strategies, saying: 'We invest in promising startups and then we help them get connected with the right people. In many cases, we advise our portfolio companies on how to work with a big company.' Kim also highlighted entrepreneurship as a critical tool for personal growth, adding: 'I think, for a young person to increase your capability, there's no better tool than starting your own companies.' Jonathan Ortmans, president of the Global Entrepreneurship Network, pointed to the evolving mindset of young entrepreneurs. 'What we're seeing now is startups coming from a younger generation who care about more than the return on investment,' he said. Ortmans also noted the massive reach of entrepreneurial initiatives, mentioning that his organization's Entrepreneurship World Cup attracted over 100,000 startups globally. Discussing the impact of artificial intelligence, Ortmans cautioned that while generative AI relies on past data, entrepreneurship thrives in uncertainty. 'One of the things I'm learning is that, clearly, there are some areas where AI will not be useful in the immediate future. One of those is in terms of entrepreneurs— they'll have to learn to operate in unpredictable, uncertain environments,' he said. He expressed optimism about the future of venture capital, stating: 'I think the venture community should be extremely excited because you're going to see some super innovative new ideas coming from a new generation of thinkers.' Ortmans also underscored the vital role of entrepreneurs in job creation, declaring: 'Entrepreneurs create almost all the net new jobs around the world.' The panel highlighted the dynamic interplay between venture capital, innovation, and human capability development, with the Kingdom emerging as a key player in the global startup ecosystem.
Arab News
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Human capability key to navigating global shifts, says Saudi education minister
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's education minister called for a fundamental rethink of how nations develop human capital, warning that demographic shifts, technology, and global volatility demand long-term investment in skills and values. Yousef Al-Benyan, who also chairs the executive committee of the Human Capability Development Program, opened the Human Capabilities Initiative in Riyadh by stressing the central role of human development in national resilience and growth. 'Our world is evolving faster than ever, driven by technological leaps, environmental sustainability, challenges, and also demographic shifts and global uncertainties,' Al-Benyan said. 'Yet, amidst these complexities, one important constant remains: human capability, the boundless potential of our people,' he added. He underscored the need for lifelong learning and a transformative approach to education that prioritizes future-ready skills, curriculum reform, and teacher development. 'We need to define the future roles of teachers — whether they remain a delivery model or transition into facilitators,' he said. Al-Benyan also underscored that building human capability is essential to fostering skills, knowledge, and values. This, he suggested, empowers individuals to lead productive lives and equips future generations to meet challenges ahead. Global scouts initiative Following Al-Benyan's remarks, Saudi Arabia took a major step toward youth empowerment and global collaboration by signing an agreement with the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association, the World Organization of the Scout Movement, and the World Scout Foundation. Under the agreement, the Kingdom will allocate $50 million over 10 years to support the Messengers of Peace initiative, a global program that enables youth to lead community-based peacebuilding and sustainable development projects worldwide. At the national level, Saudi Arabia has committed to further strengthening its education system through the National Curriculum Center, a research-driven institution dedicated to the highest quality standards in shaping the future of learning. The center collaborates with key government partners, including the Ministries of Sports, Education, Economy and Planning, and Culture, to equip teachers with the tools needed to inspire students and prepare them for global competition. Policymakers discuss education On the opening day of the Human Capabilities Initiative, education ministers and policymakers discussed how technology and curriculum reform can shape the future of education. During a panel discussion titled 'Activating and Expanding Human Potential from Preparation to #BeyondReadiness,' Al-Benyan stressed the critical role of human development in achieving national ambitions. 'We want to have an ambitious nation and a thriving economy. If you want to achieve this destination, the only way is to focus on human development,' he said. Al-Benyan emphasized the importance of current and future generations and called for an evolving education system. 'Our vision is not only to meet market needs but also to make sure that our education system, and more importantly, the higher education system, creates a new industry that can create new jobs,' he added. The minister also stressed the need for curriculum reforms, stating: 'We need to start also from changing the curriculum and make sure it has the proper focus on developing the skills requirement.' He also underscored the need for regular performance assessments in education, diversity, leadership, and the evolving role of teachers. 'We need to define the future roles of teachers — whether they remain as a delivery model or transition into facilitators,' he said. UAE's AI strategy Sarah Bint Yousef Al-Amiri, UAE's minister of education, shared insights on integrating artificial intelligence into education. 'We have invested quite extensively well over a decade in EdTech (education technology). Our EdTech has integrated AI capabilities to provide a personalized learning experience within the classroom,' she said. Al-Amiri urged policymakers to rethink education strategies around AI. 'Our paradigm shift is not to think of AI as another EdTech tool but to evolve our education policy development centered around the human,' she explained. She also advocated for lifelong learning, stating: 'We need to look at the education process as continuous, and not disruptive or disconnected.' Maldives' tech solutions Maldives' Minister of State for Higher Education Ahmed Shafeeu detailed the challenges of delivering education across dispersed islands. 'We have about 200 islands where people live, while we have over 1,200 islands altogether. This creates many challenges,' he said. The Maldives' early adoption of technology was crucial during the pandemic. 'In 2017, we made sure that we provided one tablet to every student in the Maldives, and it came as a blessing when COVID hit us,' Shafeeu noted. He also highlighted remote teaching solutions to address teacher shortages, with technology helping bridge gaps in subjects like physics and biology. The minister emphasized sustainability in education, saying: 'What we do within the curriculum is help students understand sustainable lifestyles.' The discussions at the Human Capabilities Initiative underscore the need for adaptive, technology-driven, and lifelong learning approaches to education. These strategies ensure that nations can navigate future challenges while unlocking the full potential of their people.
