Saudi Arabia Empowers Youth with Ambitious 'Skills Week' Initiative

Anton Kirichenko -

Saudi Arabia has embarked on an ambitious journey with its latest national campaign, “Skills Week,” designed to fine-tune the skills of the Kingdom’s youth in close alignment with evolving labor market demands. This initiative, launched by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), aims to elevate the local talent pool, resonating a ‘Skills First’ philosophy that stands instrumental for Vision 2030.

Driving Vision 2030: National Framework

The initiative is spearheaded by the newly established Skills & Training Deputyship and underscores a comprehensive strategy involving government and private-sector collaboration. Operating under the national Labour Market Strategy approved in 2020, Skills Week represents the Kingdom’s resolve to foster a sustainable ecosystem focused on lifelong learning and market alignment.

Unveiling Flagship Initiatives

“Skills Week” leverages key components such as the Waad Training Initiative, which surpassed its Phase I targets by delivering 129% of its planned training through collaborative efforts with private firms. The subsequent Phase II anticipates over 3 million training slots by 2028, thanks to partnerships with more than 65 public-private entities.

  • Sector-Centric Skill Mapping: Introduction of a comprehensive Sector Skills Framework that maps over 8,500 technical skills across 12 priority sectors, with insights and guidance from 13 dedicated Sector Skills Councils consisting of over 200 industry experts.
  • Survey and Taxonomy: In collaboration with the World Bank, a nationwide survey covers 3,000 companies, identifying skill gaps and shaping future training strategies by using the newly launched Saudi Skills Classification Taxonomy.

Reforming the Landscape with Data

The Skill Accelerator Program aims to retrain over 300,000 Saudis by 2027 in seven high-growth sectors, underpinning the Kingdom’s economic dynamism. Meanwhile, the Professional Verification Program is set to elevate qualification standards for over 1,000 professions globally, reinforcing transparency and trust.

Substantial competitiveness gains accentuate these reforms—Saudi Arabia rose 11 places globally in workforce training, achieved impressive strides in labor productivity, and positioned itself 5th globally in finding skilled talent as per recent global rankings.

Youth Empowerment and Market Integration

By directly aligning education, training, and employment opportunities, the initiative not only transforms Saudi youth into a formidable workforce but also integrates more expatriates and foreign investors into the local economy. Clearly defined frameworks provide immense career clarity for those participating in Saudi mega-projects and beyond, boosting investment appeal internationally.

Conclusion: A Skills-First Future

Through strategic, data-driven initiatives, Saudi Arabia is clearly positioning itself as a leader in skills development—bridging education with opportunity and aligning ambition with capability. As Skills Week sets a benchmark under Vision 2030, it epitomizes the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to crafting a future-ready labor market with an eye on global competitiveness.

With this transformative endeavor, the Kingdom’s youth stand poised and prepared, ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow with skills grounded in today’s evolving labor landscape. According to The Times of India, Saudi Arabia’s vision is innovative and empowering the next generation through such dedicated efforts.