Saudi Arabia Rises in Global Rankings for Skilled Employees
In a remarkable feat, Saudi Arabia has surged to fourth place in the World Economic Forum’s rankings for finding skilled employees, marking a significant global advancement, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
Advancements in Work Arrangements and Gender Equality
The Kingdom has also made strides in the work arrangements index, climbing seven spots to reach 14th place since 2021. This progress underscores improvements in skilled labor availability and equal pay, showcasing the nation’s commitment to fostering a balanced and inclusive workforce.
Modernizing the Labor Market
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has played a pivotal role in elevating Saudi Arabia’s standing on the global stage by introducing innovative employment patterns like flexible work, freelance opportunities, and telework programs. These initiatives have opened up new job prospects for Saudis and enhanced the overall competitiveness of the labor market.
Empowering Women in the Workforce
Efforts to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment have yielded positive results, with Saudi Arabia moving up two positions in the equal pay for equal work ranking. Women’s participation in the labor market has also increased, with a growing share of women holding senior and middle management positions. The ministry aims to further boost women’s representation in the workforce in the coming years.
Strategic Partnerships and Training Programs
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has forged 25 agreements and training partnerships to enhance localization and training programs, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030. The National Training Campaign, known as the Waad initiative, aims to provide 1.16 million training opportunities by 2025, supporting national talent development in collaboration with the private sector.
Building Capacity and Empowering Human Capital
Through initiatives like the Skills Accelerator Program, the Kingdom is investing in upskilling private sector employees to drive productivity and competitiveness. These efforts have bolstered Saudi Arabia’s global position, with the number of Saudi nationals working in the private sector surpassing 2.3 million in 2024 and the unemployment rate dropping to 7.6 percent in the first quarter.