Bridging the Skills Gap: Building Saudi Arabia’s Workforce for Vision 2030
Welcome to this brand new Substack! My name is Lorraine, a British training and development enthusiast based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In this space, I’ll be diving into topics that I am deeply passionate about; empowering women and youth, fostering sustainability, and driving innovation to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing our precious planet, particularly the vibrant Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Whether you’re here in Saudi Arabia or simply someone interested in the Kingdom’s incredible journey, I aim to provide insights, inspiration, and actionable ideas to help you navigate and/or contribute to the remarkable transformation we’re witnessing. I’m thrilled to have you here - if you’d like to find out more about me, check out the main Substack page where I share my experiences as a lifelong traveller, inquisitive visitor, language learner and business owner. Please subscribe for engaging stories, thought-provoking discussions, and practical solutions as I spotlight the people and programmes powering Saudi Arabia’s next chapter.
So, let’s start with a little context, shall we? For those of you who are not yet familiar with what’s going on in this part of the world, Saudi Arabia is in the midst of a huge transformation. Vision 2030 is Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plan to transform its economy and society, steering the Kingdom toward a future defined by innovation, sustainability, and global competitiveness. I have been living in this country for over a year now, and I am learning more every day about the myriad ways this strategy is touching the lives of everyday Saudis. It was launched in 2016 to diversify the nation’s economy beyond oil by fostering growth in industries such as technology, tourism, renewable energy, and education. Vision 2030 also places a strong emphasis on empowering Saudi citizens to play a central role in shaping this transformation. Through bold reforms and investments, Saudi Arabia is working to ‘build a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation’.
One thing is clear: a skilled workforce is critical to the Kingdom’s success. Vision 2030 isn’t just a roadmap for economic diversification—it’s a call to action to equip individuals with the expertise needed to excel in a rapidly changing global economy while learning how to employ more sustainable practices. With such rapid evolution, the rush to close the skills gap is not just a challenge; it’s an opportunity to empower Saudis to lead the charge in industries as diverse as technology, logistics, and environmental sustainability.
As Saudi Arabia undergoes one of the most transformative periods in its history, this vision is highlighting the extraordinary potential of its people. With over 70% of the population under the age of 35, and unprecedented opportunities opening up for women, Saudi Arabia is discovering a wealth of untapped potential. While the concept of a skills gap is often viewed as a challenge, here it represents an exciting opportunity to empower the workforce. By addressing this gap, the Kingdom can unlock budding talent, enhance productivity, and drive a more circular economy.
Saudi Arabia’s journey since the launch of Vision 2030 in 2016 has been remarkable; from introducing progressive social reforms to significantly increasing women’s workforce participation, the Kingdom is making meaningful strides. For example, women’s participation in the workforce has nearly doubled in recent years, rising from 17% in 2016 to over 36% in 2023. Studies show that increasing women’s workforce participation can significantly boost GDP growth. McKinsey estimates that advancing gender equality in the Middle East could add $2.7 trillion to the region’s GDP by 2040 if this trend continues. Youth empowerment has emerged as a key pillar of the Kingdom’s strategy. With millions of young Saudis entering the job market, equipping them with the skills they need to succeed is both an economic imperative and an opportunity to cultivate a generation of innovators and leaders.
Of course, with such rapid growth and diversification, the race is on to equip people entering the workforce to meet the demands of a modern economy by 2030.
The Skills Gap
The skills gap in Saudi Arabia highlights the evolving demands of a modern, global economy. Bridging this gap is not about overcoming limitations but about harnessing the vast potential within its citizens. Vision 2030 is not only about economic growth but also about building a workforce that can sustain this progress. Central to this vision is the Human Capability Development Program (HCDP), which focuses on foundational education, workforce preparation and life-long learning. The HCDP acknowledges that bridging the skills gap requires a multi-faceted approach that involves collaboration between government, private enterprises, and educational institutions, including
Tailored Training Programs: Developing curricula that address specific industry needs, ensuring immediate applicability in the workplace.
Focus on Emerging Fields: Emphasizing areas like artificial intelligence, green energy, and climate resilience to prepare the workforce for future challenges.
Global Collaboration: Partnering with international organizations to bring best practices and cutting-edge expertise to Saudi Arabia.
Inclusive Opportunities: Creating pathways for women, youth, and marginalized groups to access high-quality education and training.
These efforts are not just about filling gaps—they’re about unlocking potential.
Here are three training areas that will have the most meaningful impact in the coming years.
1. Language Proficiency
English is the universal language of business, science, and technology, but it’s not the only one that matters in a globalised economy. While English proficiency among Saudi professionals has improved over the years, many still struggle to communicate effectively in high-stakes environments. As Saudi Arabia positions itself as a global economic hub, language skills are at the top of the list. The Red Sea region is home to transformative projects designed to connect multiple continents, increasing the demand for job candidates with proficiency in English, German, Spanish, and Mandarin (Chinese). Saudi professionals are already making strides, but expanding access to language training will further position the Kingdom as a global connector.
2. Business Acumen
Saudi Arabia’s transition to a knowledge-based economy requires leaders who can think strategically, manage effectively, and innovate boldly. Saudi Arabia’s transition to a knowledge-based economy offers a unique opportunity to cultivate leaders who can drive economic transformation. Competencies such as negotiation, employability, and leveraging emerging technologies like AI remain underdeveloped across many sectors.
Business skills play a transformative role in empowering underrepresented groups, particularly women, youth, and people with disabilities, to contribute meaningfully to the economy. Skills such as negotiation, leadership, and public speaking can empower women to confidently navigate male-dominated industries and advocate for their perspectives in decision-making processes. Inclusive business practices will benefit everyone, especially those with disabilities, enabling them to showcase their talents and foster collaboration. It is encouraging to see how much more diverse the workforce is becoming, welcoming more perspectives in the conversations that will drive this country forward. Equipping groups who have not before had access with essential business skills will unlock a wealth of untapped potential, drive innovation, and build a workforce that reflects the diversity and resilience of its population.
3. Environmental Impact
Environmental sustainability is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s an economic and regulatory necessity. With initiatives like the Saudi Green Initiative, sustainability has become central to national strategy. As businesses align with environmental goals, knowledge in areas such as green energy, climate resilience, and the circular economy is essential. Visting COP16 in Riyadh in December filled me with so much optimism for the future of this incredible country. The conference showcased Saudi’s commitment to global environmental goals and its efforts in areas like green energy, climate resilience, and water management. As businesses align with these priorities, they are increasingly searching for candidates with expertise in environmental sustainability.
If you’re thinking, “Well, surely they can hire international talent who already possess these skills.” let me tell you about a concept called Saudization. This is a key initiative under Vision 2030 which aims to increase the participation of Saudi nationals in the workforce by reducing reliance on international talent. Companies must prioritize hiring and developing local talent across sectors. As you might imagine, this creates both opportunities and challenges. While this shift fosters greater inclusion of Saudis in the economy, it also underscores the need to equip them with critical skills to meet industry demands. Proficiency in business acumen, multilingual communication, and sustainability expertise is essential for Saudi professionals to lead in key industries, drive innovation and foster international partnerships.
For several years, I’ve been working with an incredible organisation, Technical Development Solutions, which is at the forefront of advancing environmental sustainability within the Kingdom. TDS focuses on delivering innovative technologies and sustainable practices that help organizations reduce their environmental footprint and align with climate goals. Throughout my life, ‘the Gulf’ has been synonymous with ‘fossil fuels’, so seeing Saudi’s shift towards more environmentally sustainable practices has filled me with hope. When TDS’s CEO, my dear friend and mentor, Dr Mohammed Gad proposed I create a training and development arm of TDS, the idea for Bridge to Excellence (‘Jassour’ in Arabic) was born.
Building a Workforce for the Future
At Jassour, we understand that closing the skills gap is not just a necessity—it’s a responsibility. Our mission is to equip Saudi professionals with the tools they need to thrive in an interconnected world. From developing language proficiency to fostering business acumen and promoting environmental sustainability, Jassour’s programs are designed to address the Kingdom’s most pressing workforce challenges.
With our focus on empowering individuals and organizations, Jassour is not just preparing professionals for the demands of today—it’s shaping the leaders of tomorrow. By aligning our efforts with Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Program, we’re helping businesses and individuals achieve excellence while contributing to the Kingdom’s transformation.
Explore how Jassour can partner with your organization to close the skills gap and build a future-ready workforce. Visit www.jassour.com.sa to learn more.