MHRSD minister: We depend on citizens before recruiting from abroad

RIYADH — Minister of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) Eng. Ahmad Al-Rajhi said that no industry can be established without human resources (HR), and depends on citizens before recruiting competencies from abroad.

Al-Rajhi said on Sunday at the General Authority for Military Industries’ (GAMI) launch of the manpower strategy in the local military industries sector that the sector’s employees can be improved and qualified through the Human Capability Development Program.

“Reaching 50% local content in the military industry is a great ambition.”

“One of the initiatives of the Human Capability Development Program is the work of a forward-looking unit for supply and demand, as there is a challenge to know what the labor market demands and what the offer should be by educational institutions,” he added.

The program also works on vocational guidance for the required specialties, rules of work and market requirements, in addition to in-job skills development.

Al-Rajhi also said that 400,000 male and female Saudis joined the labor market for the first time in 2021.

This number reflects the strong desire to accelerate the economy and participate in Vision 2030 programs, the minister said.

Economic participation is now 50 percent compared to 40 percent a few years ago, while the labor market strategy targets economic participation of 60 percent in 2030, he added.

“We can bet on the young Saudi people after they showed their ability to bear responsibility and succeeded in all sectors, including the banking, petrochemicals, services, trade, and contracting,” Al-Rajhi said, pointing out that the ministry launched 32 Saudization decisions in 2021.

The Saudis work in important and sensitive sectors, such as the military industries, given its importance for the national and strategic security, the minister concluded. — SG