Continuing its efforts to solidify its pivotal role in developing human capital and enhancing the Kingdom’s global competitiveness, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development launched the “Sectoral Skills Councils” initiative. This initiative, a strategic national program, translates the objectives of Vision 2030 into tangible reality by aligning training outcomes with labor market demands.

During the first half of 2025, the Councils achieved a series of significant accomplishments, demonstrating their ability to make a tangible impact on developing national competencies and enhancing their readiness for the labor market in collaboration with partners from the public and private sectors. The Ministry, represented by the General Secretariat of the Councils, signed more than 12 cooperation agreements across various sectors to solidify the principle of integration and unify efforts towards preparing and qualifying competencies that align with labor market skills. Furthermore, the Sectoral Skills Councils, in cooperation with the National Labor Observatory, conducted specialized studies to anticipate skills in the construction and real estate sectors and developed a methodology for issuing national reports that accurately reflect future needs, guiding training policies and programs towards practical and procedural objectives. In an effort to enhance the effectiveness of development interventions and meet labor market demands, the councils launched specialized technical committees in each sector to ensure that training programs align with market needs and equip national talent with the necessary skills for effective integration into the workforce.

In the area of training content development, collaboration with the National Center for E-Learning and the National Center for Strategic Partnerships resulted in identifying sector-specific needs. This led to the development of over 180 specialized training programs that addressed national economic priorities and provided flexible, high-quality training opportunities that meet international standards. This enhances the quality of training and unifies national efforts in training activities.

Among the most prominent specialized programs is the design and development of several high-quality programs, including the “Diploma in Entertainment Event Management,” in partnership with the Sectoral Council for Culture and Entertainment and the Saudi Academy for Entertainment and Event Management. This diploma aims to qualify national talent to lead the events sector according to best global practices. In addition, ten new professional certifications were approved in the health and security services sectors, contributing to increased employee efficiency and providing them with skills that strengthen their sustainable career paths.

The Ministry explained in this context that “the Sectoral Skills Councils represent a pivotal link between training and employment entities, and a key implementation tool for the labor market strategy. This contributes to the development of economic sectors that directly impact GDP and employment rates, and strengthens the Kingdom’s position as a leading destination in building a knowledge-based economy and developing national talent.”

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development affirms that the achievements during the first half of 2025 are merely a first step towards achieving further qualitative accomplishments in developing and enhancing human capital and strengthening the competitiveness of the labor market.