A vocational skill verification program in Saudi Arabia has certified over 209,500 international workers across more than 1,000 professions, according to the Ministry of Human Resources. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of services in the Saudi labor market by ensuring skilled labor.
Overview of the Saudi Professional Accreditation Program
The Saudi Professional Accreditation Program, launched in 2022, ensures that expatriates have the required skills and qualifications to perform their jobs, aligning with the Saudi profession categorization system. The program plays a key role in enhancing working conditions and providing skilled workers with better access to the job market.
Key Objectives of the Program
- Expand Coverage: Include more professions and participating countries.
- Raise Awareness: Encourage public and private employers to employ certified workers.
- Enhance Workforce Productivity: Ensure skilled workers contribute effectively to the labor market.
The program helps reduce the entry of unqualified workers, ensuring that the labor force matches Saudi Arabia’s development goals.
Program Services: Professional Verification and Vocational Examination
1. Professional Verification Service
- Fully automated process taking up to 15 business days.
- Validates the credentials and experience of workers in specialized professions.
2. Vocational Examination Program
- Prepares workers with average or below-average skills for entry-level jobs.
- Includes theoretical and practical assessments for workers both pre- and post-arrival in Saudi Arabia.
Participating Countries in the Accreditation Program
So far, the Professional Accreditation Program includes the following key labor-exporting countries:
- Pakistan
- India
- Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka
- Egypt
These countries provide a significant proportion of expatriate workers to the Saudi labor market.
Impact of the Program on the Saudi Labor Market
By ensuring only qualified workers enter the workforce, the initiative aims to:
- Boost productivity in the public and private sectors.
- Improve working conditions for expatriates.
- Support Saudi Arabia’s vision to develop a sustainable and skilled labor market.
