EDUCATION

SAUDI HONES THE SKILLS OF THE FUTURE

The Human Capability Development Program (HCDP) is an all-encompassing initiative to raise the skillsets of Saudi citizens.

A pillar of Saudi Vision 2030’s Visualization Realization Program, the HCDP aims to ensure that citizens have the required capabilities to compete globally by instilling values and developing basic and future skills, as well as enhancing knowledge.

“The programme focuses on developing a solid educational base for all citizens to instil values from an early age, while preparing the youth for the future local and global labour market,” according to the government.

Focusing on upskilling citizens by offering life-long learning opportunities, nurturing an innovation and entrepreneurship culture, and boosting Saudi competitiveness with investments in technology.

This has been borne out by impressive investments in the education sector, which has secured around 19% of the total government budget over the past five years. In 2021, the government allocated USD 254.6 billion, or 19.37% of the budget, making it the largest expenditure.

The investment will need to be maintained given the surge in population.

By 2030, Saudi Arabia will face a 12% increase in school-age population (aged 5-17), resulting in the need for approximately 1 million additional students to be accommodated in the education system, according to UNICEF.

Privatisation will also help nourish the sector, especially as the government has allowed 100% foreign business ownership in the sector. The move is set to attract global private K-12 providers, while local initiatives will boost the role of private provision in Saudi’s education sector. The increasing demand for a higher quality of education has acted as a catalyst for the government to uplift the education sector, according to Reportlinker, which expects the private education sector to grow at a compounded annual rate of 11%.

 

The HCDP aims to develop a resilient and strong educational base, prepare the workforce for future local and global economic development, and provide lifelong learning opportunities. At the same time, the education system should also strengthen Islamic values and national identify, while upholding the Arabic language.

Some of the programme’s 37 short-term 2025 targets include:

1. Increasing the number of Saudi students enrolled in top 200 universities to 10,000, from around 4,000 currently.
2. Percentage of students’ parents participating in school-related activities to rise to 80% by 2025, from 37% currently.
3. Raise average TIMSS score for 4th grade students to 484 , from 398 currently; and 493 for science, compared to 402 currently.
4. Double the number of Saudi universities in the top 200 universities to six.
5. And raise the percentage of unemployed graduates that find a job in less than 12 months to 70%.

 

The HCDP will deploy a holistic approach that nurtures child development at a very early stage and provide innovative educational experiences, tailored to the needs of each child, particularly students with disabilities, as well as gifted students.

“The programme will promote the engagement of young people in learning experiences that help them prepare for local and global labour market requirements through flexible educational offerings to instil values and strengthen the sense of national belonging.

Other reforms will include providing various educational opportunities based on labour market needs to prepare students for the future, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and enhancing the professional and practical experiences of professionals and trainers.

Aligning skills to labour market needs and increasing practical and applied learning methods, and offering support for the development of entrepreneurial skills are essential goals of the programme.

Lifelong learning is also another critical focus area. This includes:

• Reskilling and upskilling for future jobs in priority sectors - as identified in Vision 2030.
• Providing innovative opportunities and supporting the development of entrepreneurial skills.
• Promoting the preservation and dissemination of the Arabic language.
• Engaging the private sector and wider community in supporting professional development.
• More convenient learning models that will allow adults to learn, reflecting on their personal preferences and needs.
• Skill-based career management to help improve skills acquired through work experiences.

The government hopes that investing in education will be beneficial to the wider society, nurturing productive and skilled workers with an enviable work-life balance thanks to the focus on other Saudi Vision 2030 programmes. HCDP will benefit other stakeholders such as parents, but also employers who will gain from continuous upskilling and reskilling of the workforce in priority sectors.