A goal that supports the localization of industry with one billion riyals and the employment of 151,000 Saudis
The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) revealed its exceptional achievements in localizing strategic sectors in the Kingdom, announcing that it has enabled 151,000 Saudi citizens to join promising job opportunities in the industrial and mining sectors. This statistic covers the period from the past five years until mid-2025, reflecting the Fund's commitment to supporting the national economy through a comprehensive package of financial and training programs.
Billions invested to train national talent
In a move reflecting the government's strong commitment to human capital development, the fund has invested over one billion riyals to finance 24 specialized training agreements linked to direct employment. These agreements have resulted in the training of more than 9,400 Saudi nationals, equipping them with advanced technical and vocational skills that align with the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the needs of the Kingdom's major mining projects.
Strategic context: Industry is a cornerstone of Vision 2030
These efforts come within a broader national context aimed at diversifying sources of income and reducing dependence on oil, as the industry and mining sectors are among the main pillars of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), one of the most important programs of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Through these moves, the Kingdom seeks to transform the industrial sector into a major engine of economic growth, making investment in Saudi human resources an urgent necessity to ensure the sustainability of these projects and their operation by national hands.
Job stability and unprecedented incentives
The Fund's programs have achieved record success rates in job stability, with the retention rate of supported beneficiaries in industrial sector establishments jumping to 80%. This figure reflects the effectiveness of the empowerment plans and their ability to create an attractive and sustainable work environment for national talent, thus contributing to reducing job turnover rates.
To reinforce this trend, the fund approved a stimulus package for establishments operating in the sector, which included raising the employment support rate to cover 50% of the Saudi employee's salary, up to a maximum of 3,000 riyals per month. This step aims directly to reduce operating costs for factories and encourage the private sector to attract Saudi nationals instead of expatriates.
Bridging the skills gap and future growth
The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) did not limit itself to financial support; it also enhanced the technical skills of Saudi professionals by supporting 15 professional certifications in specialized industrial fields, while simultaneously enrolling more than 5,100 citizens in on-the-job training programs. These programs work to bridge the gap between the theoretical outcomes of education and the actual requirements of production lines.
These efforts complement the remarkable industrial growth witnessed in 2024, with the issuance of 1,346 new licenses and the commencement of production in 1,075 factories, representing investments of nearly 100 billion riyals and generating 44,000 new jobs. These figures support the objectives of the National Industrial Strategy, which aims to increase the manufacturing GDP to 895 billion riyals and create 2.1 million jobs by 2030, thereby solidifying the Kingdom's position as a global industrial powerhouse.
