73% of undergraduates in Saudi Arabia are interested in healthcare sector jobs new survey reveals

An overwhelming majority (73%) of undergraduates in Saudi Arabia have expressed interest in working in the healtcare sector, a new survey launched today by Bayer, the German multinational pharmaceutical and life sciences company, revealed. 

The Moving Saudi Arabia’s Healthcare Sector Forward survey, conducted by YouGov, found that the prospect of performing valuable and rewarding work is the top ranked reason attracting students to consider healthcare sector employment. 

Having surveyed students from 25 universities across more than five cities in the Kingdom, further findings indicate salary, job security and the ability to positively impact the community as the top ranked determining factors for selecting a healthcare employer. 

Further findings of the Moving Saudi Arabia’s Healthcare Sector Forward survey revealed a desire to contribute to the advancement of the community, and create a better life for themselves, and others, as the most important purpose for the large interest to take up prospective roles in healthcare. 

Hussein El Hakim, Managing Director – Saudi Arabia at Bayer, said: “The sentiments expressed by the Kingdom’s undergraduate population echoes Bayer’s commitment to meeting the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 by empowering Saudi talent through the creation of new job opportunities for young nationals to advance their lives and those of their communities.”

“Bayer represents the best of global technology and business excellence, offering Saudi Arabian graduates rewarding career opportunities that will nurture and grow their skillsets, to help them realise their full potential and become the future business leaders in the Kingdom,” he added. 

The news comes as major changes continue across the Kingdom as part of the nation’s roadmap towards Vision 2030. Equally, the National Transformation Programme’s emphasis on healthcare development saw the industry receive 15.6 per cent of the national budget last year. Making the healthcare sector recipient of the third largest share of expenditure in 2019. 

Overall, female undergraduates expressed slightly higher interest in taking up employment in healthcare compared to their male counterparts (75% vs 71%). 

Further findings reveal that 61% of the undergraduates across the Kingdom would prefer to take up employment in Saudi Arabia after graduation, citing family ties as the primary reason.  

Reda Zaidan, Human Resources Business Partner – Saudi Arabia at Bayer, said: “Bayer supports the achievement of the goals of the National Transformation Programme and Vision 2030, including raising the participation of females in the workforce from 17% to 25%. For many years, Bayer has been committed to achieving gender balance in its workforce, supporting women in the workplace and promoting a culture of inclusion and diversity.”

“Bayer also offers enhanced maternity and paternity leave benefits, allowing flexible working options for up to six months post return,” he added.

The Bayer team worldwide works to address some of the world’s most pressing global challenges, striving to develop new solutions for the benefit of everyone.

In Saudi Arabia, Bayer is committed to ensuring the future livelihoods of all citizens across the Kingdom. Currently running the Move Forward with Bayer national recruitment drive, Bayer is offering career opportunities to highly motivated and driven individuals seeking employment as Product Specialists and Medical Sales Representatives to join its team in Saudi Arabia.