Saudi Arabia Launches Skill Verification Program (SVP) to Improve Professional Labor Quality

Saudi Arabia has recently set in motion the Skill Verification Program (SVP), a ground-breaking initiative tailored to vet specific job categories. The chief objective of this program is to augment the standard of professional labor in Saudi Arabia and deter the employment of unqualified personnel.

SVP: A Prerequisite for Employment in Saudi Arabia

The SVP exam is scheduled to become an essential requirement for certain job aspirants in Saudi Arabia. This exam encapsulates a wide spectrum of 19 job types, including, but not limited to, electricians, plumbers, and welders.

Saudi Arabia: Leading Employer of Semi-skilled and Unskilled Indian Workers

As the prime employer of semi-skilled and unskilled Indian workers, Saudi Arabia has kick-started this skill verification process as a pre-requisite to approving employment visas in India.

SVP Test: Enhancing Professional Standards since 2021

Introduced in 2021, the Skill Verification Program (SVP) test has been initially obligatory for a selection of job roles. However, plans are in the pipeline to gradually roll out this requirement to all other professions. The SVP test necessitates both theoretical and practical evaluations from professionals currently employed or seeking employment in Saudi Arabia.

Mandatory SVP Test for Specific Professions

Professionals eyeing the job roles mentioned below will have to undergo this mandatory test:

Construction Electrical Specialist
Plumbing Expert
Pipefitting Specialist
Automotive Electrical Technician
Professional Welder
Underwater Welding Expert
Flame Cutting Technician
Drilling Rig Electrical Specialist
Electrical Equipment Assembly Technician
Electrical Transformer Assembly Expert
Electrical Panel Assembly Technician
Electrical Equipment Maintenance Specialist
Electrical Cable Connection Technician
Electrical Power Line Worker
Electronic Switchboard Assembly Expert
Blacksmithing Professional
Cooling Equipment Assembly Worker
HVAC Mechanic

Saudi Arabian Embassy Informs Recruiting Agencies about the SVP Test

The Saudi Arabian embassy in India has communicated with recruiting agencies about this mandatory examination. Interestingly, a significant fraction of Indian professionals, such as engineers and IT experts, often transition to different job titles after migrating to Saudi Arabia under these visas, mainly due to the relative ease of obtaining such visas.

The Misuse of the Employment Visa System

Regrettably, this visa system has been extensively misused, primarily by Indian professionals and individuals from other foreign nations. Many individuals, victims of fraudulent recruitment agencies, often land in Saudi Arabia via these visas and encounter problems upon arrival.

The Path Ahead for Professionals Passing the SVP Test

Post clearing the test and securing their verification certificate, professionals can retain their current employment, renew their visa, or, if they wish to explore new opportunities, apply for a new work visa.

SVP's Expansion to Other Countries

Originally launched in Pakistan, the SVP is now set to extend its reach to other countries witnessing a high influx of unskilled workers. The primary goal remains the same – to enhance the quality of professional labor and deter the employment of unskilled personnel.