Training support programmes

HRDF seeks to train and develop the national workforce in order to further their job opportunities and support their stability in the private sector.

HRDF recognises that training and development of the Saudi national workforce is an essential component of employment support. HRDF works together with stakeholders in the Government and private sectors, the labour market, and the community to establish strategies and programmes that directly contribute to upskilling the national workforce of KSA.

HRDF has determined labour market needs and skill requirement through research and analysis and continue to implement programmes that meet these needs in response to demographic, economic, market conditions, and other challenges the pace of change has ushered in.

HRDF offers a multitude of training programmes like Tamheer, an on-the-job training programme for Saudi youth in leading companies in KSA, Doroob, a comprehensive training programme where successful participants obtain certificates recognised by major companies in KSA, Safi, the summer training programme that targets young adults, and opportunities to gain vocational certifications from accredited international bodies.

The following section is an overview of HRDF’s training support initiatives and their performance during 2018.

Training to employment subsidy programme outside the enterprise

This programme aims to stimulate private sector enterprises to hire unqualified job applicants and train them through a training programme delivered by licensed training entities outside the enterprise. There were 5,126 beneficiaries of the programme in 2018.

National organisation programme for joint training

The objective of this programme is to effectively align the needs of enterprises and job seekers, focusing on specialised qualification in specific occupational sectors. The programme is implemented jointly by the following parties (HRDF, Ministry of Labour and Social Development, Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, and Council of Saudi Chambers). It is aimed at small and medium scale companies. The programme was stopped in 2016, however there are 929 beneficiaries that continue to receive benefits across the Kingdom in 2018.

Training in non-profit institutes programme

This programme aims at qualifying job seekers in uncommon and unique specialisations and supporting their employment within the private sector. The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) will provide training as a non-profit institute in one of the training centres. The number of trainees benefitted from the programme in 2018 reached 7,663 (Male) trainees in targeted sectors such as oil, construction, drilling, electrical services, dairy, food, electronics, and others. The number of graduates of the programme in 2018 reached 3,501 trainees. Around 31,242 trainees have benefitted from the programmes since its launch in 2008.

SABIC National Saudisation project

The programme aims to train and qualify national cadres in technical positions at contractors working with SABIC. The related programmes are implemented through training programmes in the institutes of the Royal Commission in Jubail and Yanbu. Although the programme was stopped by the end of 2016, there still remains beneficiaries numbering 132 from the Eastern Region in 2018.

Tamheer On-the-job training programme

Tamheer focuses on providing valuable experience and skills to youth through a hands-on approach. It is essentially a three to six month, on-the-job training in the leading companies of KSA. Young Saudi graduates are afforded the opportunity to get a glimpse into the labour market at leading Government, corporate, and international organisations of the highest calibre. In 2018, there were 3,377 beneficiaries of the programme.

Refresher programme for health diploma holders – MOH

In partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Development and the Ministry of Health, this programme offered by the HRDF focuses on providing vocational exposure and Saudisation of the KSA health sector.

The programme includes theoretical training for six months, followed by practical training for the same period within hospitals and centres affiliated to the Ministry of Health. This is followed by the recruitment of trainees. The total number of beneficiaries of the programme reached 10,901 in 2018.

Rehabilitation of the faculties of science female graduates programme

This programme, is aimed at female graduates from the faculties of science (chemistry, physics, biology, medical sciences) in order to equip them to work in the health sector or health assisting sector through HRDF subsidy and support. A total of 1,107 benefitted from the programme in 2018.

Saudisation of malls programme

This programme is implemented by the Qassim Chamber and aims to qualify and employ 5,000 job seekers or newly employed individuals to work in the retail sector and malls. The Fund covers 100% of the programme cost of SAR 700 per trainee. The programme ended on 14 November 2018. The number of beneficiaries of the training programmes reached 369 male and 278 female with a total of 647 beneficiaries from the Al Qassim region.

Doroob

Doroob is the national e-learning platform that seeks to empower job seekers, students, and all interested parties by offering training and skill development programmes and learning courses. Doroob also provides on-the-job training programmes and training courses free-of-charge. HRDF, while bearing the cost of the programme, has also formed strategic partnerships with leading companies in KSA that recognises Doroob certificate holders. The number of individuals who benefitted from the delivered courses reached 674,910.

Professional career certificates support programme

This programme is part of the national initiative to encourage and uplift the national workforce, and increase the competency of the labour market by providing a range of career improvement opportunities. It is aimed at reducing occupational exposure and to make Saudi nationals aware of international accredited certification. Participants are awarded internationally accredited vocational certificates. HRDF supports and funds the programme and its participants. The total beneficiaries of the programme reached 697 in 2018.

Mahir Job seekers training programme

It is a job seeker training programme aimed at training and qualification in many professions required by the labour market and increasing the supply of qualified specialists. The programme was stopped in 2012, and there remains a numbers of trainees continuing their studies, which numbered 598 in 2018.

Safi Summer training programme

This programme is aimed at training students during the summer holiday of the school year. It was created by virtue of the decision of His Excellency the Minister of Labour No. (1/1047) dated 8/3/1429 AH that regulates the implementation of the same, requiring the private sector enterprises which have twenty-five workers and more to accept a proportion of students during the summer period. It consists of on-the-job training, and external training taking place in training centres. In 2018, 19,658 students across the Kingdom benefitted from the programme.

College of Excellence training subsidy programme

This programme is aimed at enhancing the capacity and quality of vocational and technical education and training in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Colleges of Excellence offer certificates and diplomas in specialised applied fields for high school graduates. There were 25,117 beneficiaries of the programme in 2018.