Saudi Arabia unveils 'Skills Week' to sharpen youth talent in line with labour market needs
TL;DR:
Saudi Arabia launches national 'Skills Week' to align youth training with labor market demands.
Over 3 million training slots planned by 2028 under Phase II of Waad Initiative.
8,500+ skills mapped across 12 sectors via new Sector Skills Framework.
World Bank-supported surveys and skill taxonomy tools aim to close workforce gaps.
Initiative is part of broader Vision 2030 drive to boost labour productivity and reduce skills mismatch.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has kicked off a week-long national campaign 'Skills Week' (July 13–19, 2025) to elevate local talent in tune with evolving job market needs.
Launched to coincide with World Youth Skills Day (July 15), the initiative emphasizes a 'Skills First' philosophy to reshape the Kingdom's labour ecosystem under Vision 2030 .
National Vision & Strategic Framework
Led by the newly established Skills & Training Deputyship, Skills Week underscores collaboration between government institutions and private-sector stakeholders. Operating under the national Labour Market Strategy (approved in 2020) and the National Skills Strategy, the campaign seeks to foster a sustainable skills ecosystem embedded in lifelong learning and market alignment.
Flagship Initiatives & Milestones
Waad Training Initiative
Phase I exceeded targets, delivering 129% of planned training via collaboration with 14 private firms.
Phase II aims to deliver 3 million training opportunities by 2028 through partnerships with over 65 public-private entities.
Sector Skills Framework & Councils
Introduced a Sector Skills Framework mapping over 8,500 technical skills across 12 priority sectors.
Supported by 13 Sector Skills Councils with more than 200 industry experts, guiding curriculum and training design.
Skills Survey & Taxonomy
Conducted a World Bank‑backed survey covering 3,000 companies nationwide to identify skills gaps and shape training strategies.
Launched the
Saudi Skills Classification Taxonomy
, standardizing skill definitions across professions.
Waad Club & Volunteer Mentorship
Introduced Waad Club, a national platform for mentoring, volunteer-led coaching, and knowledge sharing across sectors.
Official Statement
As per AlArabia, Dr. Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Zahrani, Deputy Minister for Skills and Training, described the programme as 'a key milestone in showcasing Saudi Arabia's progress toward a fully integrated national skills ecosystem.' He affirmed the Kingdom's intent to prepare youth capable of driving domestic transformation and competing globally in alignment with Vision 2030.
Broader Reform Agenda
Skill Accelerator Program
: Targeting the training or retraining of over 300,000 Saudis by 2027, focusing on seven high-growth sectors through more than 3,000 national training offerings with local and global partners.
Professional Verification Program
: Expanded to cover over 160 countries and 1,000+ professions, verifying qualifications of foreign talent before entry to ensure quality standards in crucial sectors such as engineering, education, and healthcare.
Education Reform Linkage
: Aligned with the Human Capability Development Program, spanning from early education to higher learning and adult education initiatives, to close gaps between academic outcomes and labor market needs.
Significant competitiveness gains have already been recorded: Saudi Arabia climbed 11 places globally in workforce training rankings (IMD), rose to 9th in labor productivity per employee, and ranked 5th in ease of finding skilled talent (INSEAD) in 2024.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Free P2,000 GCash eGift
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
Why It Matters
Labour Productivity Boost
: With productivity among the highest in G20 economies as mentioned in AlArabiya (4.9% increase in 2022), these reforms signal systemic impact.
Reduction of Skills Mismatches
: Mapping clear skill requirements across sectors helps ensure training aligns with real market demands.
Youth Empowerment & Employment
: The campaign directly supports Saudi youth by linking education, training, and career opportunities.
Private Sector Integration
: Deepening collaboration between government and industry optimises employment pipelines and workforce planning.
Expat Perspective
National reforms like Skills Week benefit not only Saudis but also expatriates and foreign investors:
Career Alignment
: Clearly defined skill frameworks mean better opportunities for professionals seeking work in Saudi mega‑projects.
Transparent Standards
: The Validation Programme and standardized taxonomy ensure credential visibility for foreign workers.
Investment Appeal
: A skilled, productive workforce enhances Saudi Arabia's attractiveness for international collaboration under Vision 2030.
With Skills Week as a focal point, Saudi Arabia is confidently spearheading a shift toward a skills-first labor model. Anchored by data-driven policy making, sectoral collaboration, and technology-enabled standards, the Kingdom is accelerating its Vision 2030 goals, positioning Saudi youth, workers, and stakeholders for success in an increasingly competitive global economy.
These coordinated reforms, from surveying workforce gaps to launching classification systems and accelerators, reflect a commitment to building a future-ready labor market. As the demand for talent grows in sectors like giga-projects, tourism, and technology, Skills Week stands as a benchmark initiative: aligning education with opportunity, and ambition with capability.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
11 hours ago
- The Hindu
MEA ‘nearly lost the plot' on Indus Treaty negotiations, says former Finance Secretary Subhash Garg
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) nearly 'lost the plot' over the Indus Water Treaty talks with Pakistan in 2016, as senior MEA officials entered into a tussle with the World Bank, before the issue was retrieved — the claim is made by former Finance Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg, India-appointed Executive Director at the World Bank (2014-2017), in his latest book, which recounts for the first time the tensions between the Modi government and World Bank President Jim Kim over the Kishenganga hydropower project. The point of contention was whether the World Bank, which has a limited role in guiding any disputes or differences between India and Pakistan, would decide to appoint the 'court of arbitration' Pakistan had asked for, or a 'neutral expert', as India wanted. After his controversial first book about his unceremonious exit from the Union Finance Ministry, Mr. Garg has now taken aim at the MEA in his new book, No, Minister: Navigating Power, Politics and Bureaucracy with a Steely Resolve, where he says he was sidelined during the initial stages of the Indus Water Treaty negotiations in 2016. He also claims that he was told to 'keep off the matter', and only attend meetings to be led by India's Deputy Chief of Mission Taranjit Sandhu (later the Ambassador to the U.S. before he retired and joined politics). '[However], by the middle of November, the MEA team was getting nervous. It was not able to nudge the World Bank team in the direction it wanted, i.e., to appoint a neutral expert and began to sense that the Bank was tilting towards Pakistan,' Mr. Garg wrote, in the chapter titled 'Bringing Indus Waters Arbitration Back From the Brink'. At this point, the book claims that Mr. Jaishankar made a visit to Washington and asked Mr. Garg to take charge of matters. Mr. Garg accepted the request, but insisted that no MEA official join the discussions, and even turned back then MEA Joint Secretary Gopal Baglay (now India's High Commissioner to Australia) from the meeting with Mr. Kim, although he had travelled non-stop for 20 hours to reach Washington. According to Mr. Garg, it was his own intervention, in a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Kim, that eventually helped ensure a neutral expert, Ian Solomon, was appointed, after the World Bank accepted Pakistan's demand for a court of arbitration at The Hague. The MEA did not respond to a request for comments on Mr. Garg's claims. The Hindu also reached out to Mr. Sandhu and Mr. Baglay for a comment, and they did not respond to or deny the claims. In Washington, World Bank officials privy to the negotiations confirmed the tussle between the World Bank and the Indian government, but said they could not comment on whether it was Mr. Garg's meeting with the World Bank chief or other interventions that eventually changed the course of events. The World Bank first ruled that having a neutral expert and court together could lead to 'contradictory outcomes'. However, subsequently, it facilitated the setting up of both an expert as well as a Chairperson to the Court of Arbitration. India has refused to attend the proceedings in the Court of Arbitration at The Hague. Pakistan has maintained that it is working within the terms of the treaty, whereas India says the treaty does not allow such parallel dispute mechanisms. When asked by The Hindu, Mr. Garg said this should not have been an 'institutional turf battle', and that he did not want India's case to be 'compromised' even as the World Bank, the U.S. and the U.K. had gone ahead with appointing experts to take the Pakistan application for arbitration forward. Allowing Pakistan's diplomats to continue the process unchallenged would have an impact on other negotiations, he added. After the Pahalgam terror attacks in April this year, India has decided to 'suspend' the Indus Water Treaty, but some of the book's revelations are significant for future decisions on similar issues. The book recounts Pakistan's campaign against the Kishenganga and Ratle hydropower projects in Jammu-Kashmir; India's objections to the International Monetary Fund/World Bank funding of the Gulpur hydropower project in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir; and China's objections in 2010 to multilateral funding for a hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh, leading Mr. Garg to conclude that the government and the World Bank needed better communication between themselves. Mr. Garg also pointed out that Mr. Kim and Mr. Modi had a good relationship, and Mr. Kim's plan to fund schemes for 'stunted' or malnourished children had not gone down well with Mr. Modi. In Parliament this week, the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development said that about 37% of children under five years registered on their tracker were found to be stunted. 'I believe India's approach of not fine-tuning its stance in line with World Bank policies has harmed its own interests more than serving it,' Mr. Garg, who moved to India as Economic Affairs Secretary after his tenure at the World Bank ended, said. Differences with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman led to his transfer as Secretary in the Union Ministry of Power in August 2019. He applied for voluntary retirement that same day, and retired after serving the mandatory notice period on October 31, 2019. (With inputs from Jacob Koshy and T.C.A. Sharad Raghavan in New Delhi.)
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Time of India
Saudi Arabia unveils 'Skills Week' to sharpen youth talent in line with labour market needs
MHRSD kicked off a week-long national campaign, 'Skills Week' (July 13–19, 2025)/Representative Image TL;DR: Saudi Arabia launches national 'Skills Week' to align youth training with labor market demands. Over 3 million training slots planned by 2028 under Phase II of Waad Initiative. 8,500+ skills mapped across 12 sectors via new Sector Skills Framework. World Bank-supported surveys and skill taxonomy tools aim to close workforce gaps. Initiative is part of broader Vision 2030 drive to boost labour productivity and reduce skills mismatch. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has kicked off a week-long national campaign 'Skills Week' (July 13–19, 2025) to elevate local talent in tune with evolving job market needs. Launched to coincide with World Youth Skills Day (July 15), the initiative emphasizes a 'Skills First' philosophy to reshape the Kingdom's labour ecosystem under Vision 2030 . National Vision & Strategic Framework Led by the newly established Skills & Training Deputyship, Skills Week underscores collaboration between government institutions and private-sector stakeholders. Operating under the national Labour Market Strategy (approved in 2020) and the National Skills Strategy, the campaign seeks to foster a sustainable skills ecosystem embedded in lifelong learning and market alignment. Flagship Initiatives & Milestones Waad Training Initiative Phase I exceeded targets, delivering 129% of planned training via collaboration with 14 private firms. Phase II aims to deliver 3 million training opportunities by 2028 through partnerships with over 65 public-private entities. Sector Skills Framework & Councils Introduced a Sector Skills Framework mapping over 8,500 technical skills across 12 priority sectors. Supported by 13 Sector Skills Councils with more than 200 industry experts, guiding curriculum and training design. Skills Survey & Taxonomy Conducted a World Bank‑backed survey covering 3,000 companies nationwide to identify skills gaps and shape training strategies. Launched the Saudi Skills Classification Taxonomy , standardizing skill definitions across professions. Waad Club & Volunteer Mentorship Introduced Waad Club, a national platform for mentoring, volunteer-led coaching, and knowledge sharing across sectors. Official Statement As per AlArabia, Dr. Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Zahrani, Deputy Minister for Skills and Training, described the programme as 'a key milestone in showcasing Saudi Arabia's progress toward a fully integrated national skills ecosystem.' He affirmed the Kingdom's intent to prepare youth capable of driving domestic transformation and competing globally in alignment with Vision 2030. Broader Reform Agenda Skill Accelerator Program : Targeting the training or retraining of over 300,000 Saudis by 2027, focusing on seven high-growth sectors through more than 3,000 national training offerings with local and global partners. Professional Verification Program : Expanded to cover over 160 countries and 1,000+ professions, verifying qualifications of foreign talent before entry to ensure quality standards in crucial sectors such as engineering, education, and healthcare. Education Reform Linkage : Aligned with the Human Capability Development Program, spanning from early education to higher learning and adult education initiatives, to close gaps between academic outcomes and labor market needs. Significant competitiveness gains have already been recorded: Saudi Arabia climbed 11 places globally in workforce training rankings (IMD), rose to 9th in labor productivity per employee, and ranked 5th in ease of finding skilled talent (INSEAD) in 2024. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Why It Matters Labour Productivity Boost : With productivity among the highest in G20 economies as mentioned in AlArabiya (4.9% increase in 2022), these reforms signal systemic impact. Reduction of Skills Mismatches : Mapping clear skill requirements across sectors helps ensure training aligns with real market demands. Youth Empowerment & Employment : The campaign directly supports Saudi youth by linking education, training, and career opportunities. Private Sector Integration : Deepening collaboration between government and industry optimises employment pipelines and workforce planning. Expat Perspective National reforms like Skills Week benefit not only Saudis but also expatriates and foreign investors: Career Alignment : Clearly defined skill frameworks mean better opportunities for professionals seeking work in Saudi mega‑projects. Transparent Standards : The Validation Programme and standardized taxonomy ensure credential visibility for foreign workers. Investment Appeal : A skilled, productive workforce enhances Saudi Arabia's attractiveness for international collaboration under Vision 2030. With Skills Week as a focal point, Saudi Arabia is confidently spearheading a shift toward a skills-first labor model. Anchored by data-driven policy making, sectoral collaboration, and technology-enabled standards, the Kingdom is accelerating its Vision 2030 goals, positioning Saudi youth, workers, and stakeholders for success in an increasingly competitive global economy. These coordinated reforms, from surveying workforce gaps to launching classification systems and accelerators, reflect a commitment to building a future-ready labor market. As the demand for talent grows in sectors like giga-projects, tourism, and technology, Skills Week stands as a benchmark initiative: aligning education with opportunity, and ambition with capability.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
New-Age lending model helping banks to cut costs and meet customer expectations
Across global financial markets, lending is experiencing a major shift. Borrowers now expect immediacy, personalization, and simplicity in every interaction—whether applying for a personal loan on their mobile device or financing a home, vehicle, or business. However, many banks and financial institutions are hindered by systems designed for a slower, less connected world. A World Bank report estimates that micro, small, and medium enterprises face an annual credit gap of USD 5.2 trillion—about 1.5 times the current lending volume for these businesses. With conversations from banks and lenders, it's clear: Legacy Loan Origination Systems are no longer adequate. They were built to standardize, not to innovate. They offer control—but make it hard to adopt changes. Today, with tech-savvy customers and constantly changing rules, this lack of flexibility has become a drawback. According to a market research, digital lending platforms in India are projected to reach over 500 million customers by the end of 2025, with the lending segment expected to hit USD 1.3 trillion in disbursements, driven by advancements in financial technology and increased smartphone penetration. Hence, what is needed is not just digital enhancement, but a fundamental reinvention of how lending is delivered, scaled, and evolved. This is where the model of Lending-as-a-Service is proving to be a game-changer. Lending-as-a-Service redefines lending not as a static software platform, but as a flexible, cloud-powered ecosystem. It enables lenders to break down the lending process into modular services that can be rapidly configured, deployed, and scaled across various product lines—from personal and auto loans to corporate, housing, and consumer durable finance. By adopting this model, financial institutions are no longer bound by one-size-fits-all workflows or long development cycles. They gain the agility to experiment, personalize, and adapt without overhauling their core architecture. But technology alone is not the differentiator—it's the outcomes that matter. Institutions supported with platforms with Lending-as-a-Service architecture have consistently accelerated their go-to-market timelines, dramatically improved customer satisfaction, and reduced operational costs. We've seen banks launch new retail lending products in a matter of days. We've seen journeys that once required manual underwriting transformed into straight-through processes powered by AI. In several deployments, the cost per loan has reduced by over half, while conversion rates have increased multifold. For instance, a leading financial services provider in India leveraged our platform to launch a digitally native loan journey for Indian customers, covering onboarding, KYC, credit scoring, and disbursal—all within a few days. Another bank in Southeast Asia reimagined its auto finance journey by integrating real-time approvals, e-KYC, and government API linkages into a seamless customer flow. These institutions weren't just digitizing—they were building lending businesses designed for today's customers and tomorrow's challenges. This transformation is also enabling compliance readiness at scale. In regulated markets such as the UAE, India, and Southeast Asia, stakeholders are able to quickly embed policy changes, update product terms, or roll out pre-approved offers—without recoding, retraining, or retesting legacy systems. Thus, the future of lending will belong to those who are agile, responsive, and deeply aligned with the needs of their borrowers. Lending-as-a-Service offers a pathway to that future—a model that is not only more adaptive but also more resilient in the face of change. At the core of this shift is a new generation of lending platforms — modern, unified lending infrastructure built for speed, scalability, and intelligence. To illustrate, our platform, built on a microservices-based, cloud-native foundation, enables institutions to launch and iterate with confidence. With the ability to integrate more than 175 APIs, our ecosystem supports real-time connectivity with internal banking systems, fintech partners, government APIs, credit bureaus, fraud detection engines, and compliance tools. Additionally, this allows banks and financial institutions to no longer be constrained by what their systems can support—they are empowered to lead with what their customers demand. The transformation is not incremental. It is structural. And it is happening now. It's time to reimagine lending and reinvent success. By Ravish Pandey, Head of Product Innovation, and Sachin Gupta, Head of Client Accounts and Engagement at BUSINESSNEXT AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
