Saudi Skills Week Trains Youth for Future Labour Demands

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has launched a week-long national campaign, “Skills Week,” from July 13th to 19th, to equip young people with the tools needed to thrive in a rapidly changing labour market. Timed with World Youth Skills Day, the initiative promotes a “Skills First” approach tied closely to Vision 2030 reforms.

Under the Waad Training Initiative, authorities aim to deliver three million training slots by 2028 in collaboration with over 65 public and private sector partners. The Kingdom has also introduced a new Sector Skills Framework mapping more than 8,500 skills across 12 key industries.

The campaign is supported by a World Bank-backed survey of 3,000 companies to identify pressing skill gaps. Officials have also launched a national skills taxonomy and volunteer mentorship platforms to reinforce lifelong learning.

As part of a wider reform agenda, the government is also expanding its Skill Accelerator Programme and Professional Verification Scheme to ensure workforce competitiveness across both domestic and foreign talent. Saudi Arabia’s global rankings have risen sharply, now placing 5th in ease of finding skilled labour.