Latest news with #SkillsWeek
Al Arabiya
4 days ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Skills Week drives Saudi push to upskill workforce aligning with Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia has launched 'Skills Week' to spotlight sweeping national initiatives designed to transform the Kingdom's labor market and empower youth in alignment with Vision 2030. Under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), the initiative runs from July 13-19 and is led by the newly established Skills and Training Deputyship, in collaboration with government bodies and private sector partners. The ministry celebrated 'World Youth Skills Day' on July 15 with the launch of the nationwide campaign aimed at accelerating skills development across sectors and promoting a productivity-driven labor market. This year's theme, 'skills first,' reflects the Kingdom's growing emphasis on aligning training and education with the demands of a modern workforce, the ministry said in a statement shared with Al Arabiya English. The initiative aims to strengthen Saudi Arabia's skills ecosystem and ensure alignment with market needs through a variety of targeted programs, the statement added. Dr. Ahmed bin Abdullah Alzahrani, Deputy Minister for Skills and Training, said: 'This effort supports all groups across our labor market. We are building a sustainable skills ecosystem integrated with education and training, preparing a young generation ready to drive Saudi Arabia's transformation and compete globally, in line with Vision 2030.' Flagship programs One of the flagship programs under this effort is the Waad National Training Initiative – a cornerstone of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 human capital development strategy. Originally launched to bridge the gap between education and workforce demands, Waad achieved a 129 percent overachievement in training opportunities during its first phase, collaborating with 14 private sector entities, according to the ministry. Now in its second phase, the initiative seeks to deliver three million training opportunities by 2028 through partnerships with over 65 public and private sector entities. Another key project is the Sector Skills Councils Initiative, comprising 13 councils and more than 200 industry members. The ministry has introduced the Sector Skills Framework Tool, which features over 8,500 technical skills, mapped across 12 critical sectors, and provides a strategic reference for tailoring training to industry-specific needs. Saudi Arabia's labor market strategy These efforts fall under the umbrella of Saudi Arabia's Labor Market Strategy, approved by the Council of Ministers in 2020. The strategy aims to enhance labor participation, improve productivity, and reduce unemployment rates – all of which have already contributed to a 4.9 percent increase in labor productivity in 2022, the highest among G20 economies. Further advancing this vision, the ministry launched the Skill Accelerator Program, which targets the upskilling and reskilling of over 300,000 Saudis by 2027. The program spans the top seven sectors driving GDP and employment, offering over 3,000 training programs nationwide in partnership with local and international training providers. Saudi Arabia also continues to enhance labor market quality through the 'Professional Verification Program', ensuring that skilled workers from more than 169 countries and 1,000 professions meet strict competency standards. Complementing labor market reforms further, the Kingdom is reshaping its education system through the 'Human Capability Development Program', encompassing early childhood through higher education and lifelong learning, to foster a resilient and future-ready workforce. To support the Kingdom's labor market agenda, the ministry has also introduced several institutional frameworks: 13 'Sector Skills Councils' covering sectors responsible for 85 percent of GDP and 80 percent of the workforce. A 'Job Creation Index Unit' to evaluate employment initiatives. A 'Foresight Unit' to anticipate emerging talent needs. A 'Skills System Framework' to govern implementation and ensure sustainability.
Arab News
6 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi ministry launches initiatives to build sustainable skills ecosystem
RIYADH: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development marked World Youth Skills Day on July 15, highlighting the Kingdom's commitment to a skill-based labor market that enhances productivity and competitiveness. To mark the occasion, the ministry launched Skills Week, running until July 19. It is led by the newly established Skills and Training Deputyship in cooperation with public and private sector partners. The scheme aims to align education and training programs with labor market needs through several projects, including the Waad training initiative. Waad addresses gaps between education outcomes and market demands, preparing Saudi youth to compete locally and internationally. In its first phase, the initiative exceeded its targets by delivering 129 percent of planned training opportunities through 14 private companies. Its second phase aims to offer 3 million training opportunities by 2028, supported by more than 65 public and private sector partners. The ministry also introduced the Sector Skills Framework tool, which maps more than 8,500 technical skills across 12 key sectors. The tool serves as a strategic guide for developing sector-specific training programs, supported by 13 councils comprising more than 200 experts. Other initiatives highlighted during Skills Week include the launch of the Saudi Skills Classification Taxonomy to define required skills for each profession, and the release of Skills Survey findings conducted with the World Bank on more than 3,000 firms to identify workforce skill gaps. The ministry also launched Waad Club, a volunteer platform promoting mentoring and knowledge exchange. Ahmed Al-Zahrani, deputy minister for skills and training, said: 'Organizing Skills Week reflects our deep commitment to the goals of the ministry. This effort supports all groups across our labor market. 'We are building a sustainable skills ecosystem integrated with education and training, preparing a young generation ready to drive Saudi Arabia's transformation and compete globally, in line with Vision 2030.' All of the initiatives operate within the framework of Saudi Arabia's Labor Market Strategy, approved by the Council of Ministers in 2020. The strategy addresses labor market challenges and Vision 2030 goals, aiming to increase labor participation, improve market efficiency and productivity, and reduce unemployment. As a result, labor productivity rose by 4.9 percent in 2022, the highest growth among G20 economies. The ministry also leads the national skills agenda through the National Skills Strategy, which serves as the Kingdom's skills policy to guide planning, development, recognition and management. It aims to bridge the gap between supply and demand, enhance employability across all segments and promote lifelong learning. Reinforcing this commitment, the ministry launched the Skill Accelerator Program to upskill and reskill more than 300,000 Saudis by 2027. The program focuses on the top seven sectors driving gross domestic product growth and employment, offering more than 3,000 training programs nationwide in partnership with local and international providers. Through the Professional Verification Program, Saudi Arabia ensures that skilled workers from more than 169 countries, covering more than 1,000 professions, meet rigorous standards, strengthening labor market quality. The Kingdom is also reforming its education system through the Human Capability Development Program, spanning nursery to university and lifelong learning, to build a resilient educational foundation aligned with future labor demands.
Saudi Gazette
14-07-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
HR Ministry launches 'Skills Week' to empower youth and align talent with labor market needs
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development launched 'Skills Week' on Monday, in conjunction with World Youth Skills Day, under the theme 'Skills First.' The initiative reflects the ministry's ongoing efforts to develop a national skills framework, invest in Saudi human capital, and enhance the readiness of local talent to meet the demands of both domestic and global labor markets. The week-long initiative aims to spotlight national programs that enhance the efficiency, competitiveness, and productivity of Saudi Arabia's labor market while empowering youth and equipping them with the skills required to thrive. The campaign includes a range of initiatives focused on identifying and planning skill needs, aligning training efforts with labor market demand, and strengthening partnerships with the private sector. Dr. Ahmed Al-Zahrani, Assistant Minister for Skills and Training, said the launch of 'Skills Week' highlights the Kingdom's commitment to preparing its workforce for rapid labor market transformations.'This is a key milestone in showcasing Saudi Arabia's progress toward a fully integrated national skills ecosystem,' he said.'Through this initiative, we aim to drive a shift toward a skills-based economy by implementing the national skills strategy, developing a national skills framework, and ensuring education and training outcomes match current and future job market needs.'He added that the ministry will continue to advance specialized initiatives that bolster both the labor market and Saudi citizens' competitiveness at home and abroad.
