Prepare for your professional future and master the skills required in the Saudi labor market

According to Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom aims to achieve a qualitative transformation in the labor market by creating one million new job opportunities, in an effort to enhance the sustainability of the national economy and reduce dependence on oil resources. Within this context, there is an increasing focus on developing non-oil sectors, as their contribution to the economy is expected to reach 50%. This trend supports the national transformation that aims to create an integrated work environment that contributes to enhancing and developing national competencies, making the skills required in the labor market an essential element for achieving sustainable development goals.

Data from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development indicate that developing and training cadres in the necessary job skills is an essential part of the strategy to improve employment. This focus is expected to contribute to raising the percentage of citizens’ employment in the private sector to 60% by 2030. This trend reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to support national competencies and provide a training environment that keeps pace with the skills required in the labor market and enhances their job stability.

Enhancing skills in the Saudi labor market in line with Vision 2030

As part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is working to develop the skills required in the labor market to support economic growth and reduce reliance on traditional sectors. Basic technical skills include data analysis and artificial intelligence, which help enable companies to make informed decisions and find innovative solutions. Cybersecurity is also important to protect data in light of the increasing reliance on technology, in addition to digital marketing to achieve more effective customer reach.

In addition to technical skills, soft skills play a pivotal role in achieving professional success. Effective communication contributes to improving collaboration within work teams, while leadership enhances the ability of individuals to direct their teams towards achieving goals. Flexibility is also an essential skill in the face of rapid changes in the work environment, as it allows employees to adapt and innovate.

To bridge the gap between available skills and labor market needs, the Kingdom seeks to enhance continuous training for local cadres. Through specialized training programs, workers can acquire the skills that qualify them to deal with modern challenges, which enhances their opportunities for employment and professional growth and achieves national development goals.

Skills Required in the Labor Market 2030

As part of the digital transformation that Saudi Arabia seeks to achieve within Vision 2030, the Saudi labor market has become in need of advanced skills that are in line with this trend, such as data analysis, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital project management.
These skills are essential to support the knowledge economy and expand the Kingdom's capabilities in modern technical fields.
Here comes the role of the Leoron Institute in bridging this gap, by providing professional training programs designed to enhance local competencies and develop the skills required in digital sectors. These courses contribute to preparing individuals to face the challenges of the future labor market and achieve the goals of the national vision. Among the most important skills required in the labor market 2030 are the following:

• Artificial Intelligence and Data Analysis
  This field is expected to grow by 30% annually, according to PwC estimates, making artificial intelligence and data analysis among the most important skills required. This contributes to improving the efficiency of companies and developing innovative products and services.
• Project Management
  With the increasing number of mega projects in the Kingdom, the need for highly qualified project managers has become urgent. According to PMI statistics, the Kingdom will need more than 200,000 project managers by 2030 to contribute to the implementation of mega projects such as NEOM and Qiddiya.
• Digital Marketing
  According to the 2023 HubSpot report, 75% of Saudi companies are investing in digital marketing to increase exposure, which increases the need for experts in this field, especially with the expansion of social media use.
• Cybersecurity
  Given the increasing threats in the field of cybersecurity, the need for specialists in this field is expected to grow by 40% annually, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. The demand for securing sensitive information and corporate systems is increasing.
• Remote Work Skills
  A study by Deloitte indicated that 60% of Saudi companies plan to maintain remote work options even after the pandemic, making the ability to work remotely a highly sought-after skill in the Kingdom.

Types of Job Skills

Recent statistics from LinkedIn indicate that technical and digital skills are growing by 20% annually in the Saudi market, which reflects the importance of these skills in various fields. In this context, Leoron Institute offers specialized training courses aimed at developing the most in-demand job skills. Here is an overview of the most in-demand job skills:

• Technical Skills
  Technical skills include the ability to use programs and tools specific to the field of work, such as programming, data analysis, and engineering design. In a recent report, Gartner indicated that nearly 70% of Saudi companies require new employees to have experience using job-related technical tools.
• Soft Skills
  According to a study by McKinsey, more than 65% of employers in the Kingdom are looking for soft skills in candidates, such as the ability to work within a team, communicate effectively, and manage time. Developing these skills is key to improving the work environment and facilitating communication.
• Analytical Skills
  The demand for analytical skills is expected to increase by 30% by 2030 in Saudi Arabia. These skills require the ability to analyze data and make informed decisions, making them essential in sectors such as finance and technology.
• Digital Skills
  According to a report issued by the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the study showed that 55% of companies are looking for digital skills in new employees. The need for digital skills, such as social media management, e-marketing, and application development, is increasing.

The most important skills required in the labor market

There are many skills that remain essential for individuals to succeed in the labor market and are considered essential for any career path, as employers are constantly looking for talents that combine technical capabilities and personal competencies. Here are some of the most prominent of these skills:

• Creative Thinking
  The "WEF" report for 2023 confirms that creativity will remain one of the most important skills required, as companies have shown that creative employees represent an important addition to teams, especially in dynamic work environments.
• Effective Communication
  According to a survey from LinkedIn, 80% of employers indicated that effective communication skills are one of the most important factors for success. Good interaction with the team and supervisors contributes to the success of operations and achieving goals.
• Adaptiveness
  Continuous changes in the market require high flexibility from employees. According to McKinsey, companies prefer individuals who are able to adapt to new circumstances quickly.
• Leadership
  According to a survey conducted by Harvard Business Review, 60% of managers in Saudi Arabia prefer employees who demonstrate leadership qualities that help them direct teams and achieve common goals.

Practical steps to develop the required skills

• To develop the skills needed to compete in the job market, it is recommended to take the following steps:
• Join training courses: Courses such as those offered by the Leoron Institute contribute to developing technical and personal skills, such as data analysis, project management, and communication skills.
• Online learning: Platforms such as Coursera, Udacity, and LinkedIn Learning provide training programs that allow individuals to acquire new skills with high flexibility.
• Vocational training: Joining internship programs allows you to gain practical experience, as individuals can work on real projects and gain applied skills.

Professional courses offered by the Leoron Institute

To meet market requirements, the Leoron Institute offers professional training courses in various fields that contribute to developing the required skills. Here are some of the courses offered by the institute:

• Leadership and Management Course: This course is offered to enhance individuals’ abilities to lead teams and organize work. Participants learn the principles of effective leadership, motivational techniques, and analyzing success strategies, which helps them assume leadership positions in the future.
• Data Analysis Course: This course focuses on how to deal with data and use it to analyze performance and achieve company goals. Participants learn how to use tools such as Power BI and Tableau to extract insights that help in making strategic decisions.
• Digital Marketing Course: Leoron Institute offers a comprehensive course in digital marketing, where trainees learn the latest SEO, SEM, and social media advertising strategies. Participants gain the skills needed to reach the target audience and increase engagement.
• Cybersecurity Course: To maintain information security, trainees in this course learn how to protect systems from cyber threats and secure sensitive data. The course covers tools such as Firewall Management and Intrusion Detection Systems, which are skills that are in high demand in various sectors.
• Communication and Teamwork Skills Course: The course aims to improve communication and teamwork skills, as participants learn strategies for constructive interaction and conflict resolution, which are essential skills to enhance the spirit of cooperation and positivity in the work environment.

Conclusion

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing a remarkable transformation in the labor market, which makes skills development and continuous qualification a must. Leoron Institute provides professional courses covering various fields and gives participants the opportunity to acquire the skills required in the labor market and contribute to achieving the Kingdom's Vision 2030.