Al-Faryan: Skills development is a cornerstone for building human capabilities
The Deputy Minister of Education for International Cooperation, Dr. Latifa Al-Faryan, affirmed that skills development is a key pillar of the Saudi Vision 2030 and a fundamental cornerstone for building human capital and enhancing national competitiveness. This was emphasized through the crucial integration of efforts among educational institutions, training providers, and employers, with the aim of aligning educational outcomes with employment opportunities and innovation in the evolving labor market.
The strategic context of education and training programs in the Kingdom
Historically, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed great importance on the education and training sector, developing its educational system to keep pace with global changes. With the launch of Vision 2030, the Human Capital Development Program emerged as one of the most important executive programs aimed at preparing globally competitive citizens. This historic shift moved the focus from mere knowledge acquisition to building practical skills and critical thinking, reflecting the wise leadership's commitment to investing in human capital as the nation's greatest asset.
Active participation in the OECD summit
Dr. Al-Faryan's remarks came during the Kingdom's official address at the OECD Skills Summit, held on April 27 and 28 in Istanbul, Turkey. The Kingdom's delegation to this global summit was headed by the Deputy Minister of Education for Public Education, Dr. Saad Al-Harbi, and included a number of ministers and officials from the labor, education, and training sectors, as well as prominent leaders from various international organizations.
Expected impact of skills development programs locally and regionally
The ongoing focus on skills development has profound implications on multiple levels. Locally, this approach contributes to reducing unemployment rates and bridging the gap between educational outputs and the actual needs of the labor market. Regionally, the Kingdom presents a leading model to be emulated in the Middle East in the field of educational and professional transformation. Internationally, this approach enhances Saudi Arabia's standing in global competitiveness indices, making it a reliable partner in exporting qualified human capital and attracting foreign investments seeking work environments rich in skilled personnel.
Adapting education systems to promote lifelong learning
The summit sessions addressed vital topics related to adapting formal education systems to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to keep pace with major trends. Discussions focused on the shift towards lifelong learning and reviewed national strategies to ensure all adults have access to appropriate and accessible opportunities for skills development and retraining. The importance of improving career guidance and finding innovative solutions to enhance educational opportunities for all was also addressed.
In her speech, Dr. Latifa Al-Faryan pointed to the pivotal role of public education in the skills system, as it is the solid foundation for preparing learners and enabling them to move efficiently to higher education, technical and vocational paths, and the labor market, in addition to enhancing their active community participation.
International partnerships for exchanging expertise and building capacity
During the summit, the Kingdom's delegation, headed by Dr. Saad Al-Harbi, focused on expanding international cooperation, holding a series of fruitful bilateral meetings. These meetings included discussions with senior officials from the Ministries of Labor in both Japan and Turkey, as well as with leaders from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The discussions aimed to explore and discuss opportunities for joint cooperation in training, human resource development, and promoting a culture of lifelong learning, in order to serve shared strategic objectives.
