“Public sector Saudization is growing” says training provider
Saudization in private companies in KSA is growing, according to training providers Edexcel. Despite a number of announcements in recent weeks concerning expatriate visas, the training body maintains rates are increasing due to the vocational training on offer. The announcement was made as Edexcel approved Al Khaleej’s Training and Education, which provides BTEC Higher National […]
Saudization in private companies in KSA is growing, according to training providers Edexcel.
Despite a number of announcements in recent weeks concerning expatriate visas, the training body maintains rates are increasing due to the vocational training on offer.
The announcement was made as Edexcel approved Al Khaleej’s Training and Education, which provides BTEC Higher National Diplomas for students to transfer credits to university degrees at institutions around the world.
“There is a huge disconnect between what universities and institutes offer and the real needs of the market,” said Engineer Al Waleed Al Draiaan, CEO of Al Khaleej Training and Education.
“This vacuum is often filled by expatriates and it brings to the fore the need for integrating KSA nationals into a multinational workforce,” he continued, further adding the Kingdom needs to have self sufficiency in vocational skills through enhanced vocational trainings.
“There is an urgent need to sharpen the skills of the KSA workforce by exposing them to global best practices and equipping them with tools essential to the job market in KSA,” he said.
“This agreement works at creating job opportunities for the new generation in KSA,” said Mark Andrews, Edexcel’s MENA regional director.
“It will go a long way toward enhancing Saudization of jobs in the KSA market.The government in the Kingdom is playing its role in integrating nationals into the private sector, but more needs to be done by companies to encourage nationals to seek employment in private companies,” he added.
Edexcel collaborates with educatonal partners, such as schools and colleges, as well as employers and governments, in over 85 countries. Each year, more than 4 million learners enrol on an Edexcel qualification.
Andrews also said vocational education has a fundamental role to play in integrating Saudi nationals in the private sector, explaining: “The key is to provide the right education to nurture their skills, and make efforts to strike a balance between their salary expectations and private companies’ priority on optimum productivity.”
A number of recent announcements concerning working visas for the Kingdom have been made in an effort to tackle a 10% unemployment rate among nationals. The Nitaqat programme aims to
