HRSD Ministry aims to close the skills gap: Official

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) has rolled out national initiatives and programs, in partnership with the private sector, to close the skills gap and better prepare the workforce for future labour market needs, said Abdullah Abuthnain, Vice Minister of Human Recourses and Social Development for Labor.

Speaking at MOMENTUM, Abuthnain said the ministry is working through 13 sectoral skills councils on proactive efforts to anticipate labour market requirements and forecast emerging skills.

He added that the ministry is leveraging data to assess supply and demand, while continuously monitoring labour market trends to adapt to global economic and technological shifts.

Abuthnain said AI is already driving rapid and profound transformations in labour markets worldwide, prompting the ministry to focus on upskilling and reskilling the workforce to harness these technologies, create new jobs, and enhance productivity and competitiveness.