Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia’s Human Resources Development Fund has supported the employment of 151,000 citizens in the industrial and mining sectors since 2020, backed by more than SR1 billion ($266.6 million) in training-to-employment programs.

The state-backed fund, known as HRDF, said it signed 24 specialized training agreements over the period, targeting more than 9,400 Saudis, as the Kingdom accelerates workforce development in strategic and high-value sectors.

The initiative aligns with the National Industrial Strategy — launched under Vision 2030 — which focuses on developing key industries, integrating advanced technologies and sustainable practices, and strengthening cooperation with the private sector.

The strategy aims to lift manufacturing gross domestic product to SR895 billion and create 2.1 million jobs by 2030, while expanding local production and high-tech exports.

In its latest release, HRDF stated: “The employment retention rate among HRDF-supported beneficiaries in the sector has now reached 80 percent.”

It added that HRDF initiatives also include supporting 15 professional certification programs in specialized fields and increasing support for enterprises in the sector through the employment support program, which covers up to 50 percent of employees' salaries with a maximum of SR3,000 per month.

The fund also noted that more than 5,100 Saudis have benefited from on-the-job training programs in industrial fields.

“These results underscore its strategic role in empowering the sector within the labor market, driving a shift toward high-value industries, and building sustainable national talent capable of supporting long-term economic growth and adapting to future workforce needs,” the release said.

It added that these efforts also reinforce HRDF’s contribution to accelerating economic diversification and supporting major national projects under Vision 2030, which aims to ensure a sustainable and prosperous economic future.

The industrial sector saw notable growth in 2024, with 1,346 new factory licenses issued and investments exceeding SR50 billion. A total of 1,075 factories began production with more than SR48 billion in capital spending, creating 44,000 new jobs.

Meanwhile, the National Mining Strategy prioritizes the development of mining supply chains to ensure that Saudi mineral resources support local industries and enhance global market integration. It also aims to create high-value employment opportunities through skills development and greater participation of Saudi nationals.

The labor market is undergoing a major transformation, with unemployment among Saudi nationals dropping to 6.3 percent in the first quarter of 2025 — the lowest on record — according to the General Authority for Statistics.