Riyadh: As Saudi Arabia races towards achieving the goals of Vision 2030, a pressing question has emerged at the forefront: Can the Kingdom develop a domestic tech talent pool robust enough to support its ambitious digital plans?

The demand for highly skilled professionals in sectors such as artificial intelligence and smart mobility is soaring due to the rapid expansion of various industries.

Despite substantial investments and significant infrastructure developments aimed at addressing this issue, the supply of qualified workers still lags behind the growing demand.

Recognizing the importance of addressing this challenge, Saudi authorities have initiated several high-stakes strategies focused on human capital development.

The National Skills Platform, for instance, utilizes AI technology to connect job seekers with tailored learning pathways, marking a pivotal shift towards education and training centered around industry needs.

This initiative represents a broader national commitment to prioritizing skill-building and reskilling programs for the workforce.

Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan has emphasized that Vision 2030 is not just a roadmap for national transformation but also serves as a model demonstrating how investments in human capital can drive sustainable progress.

According to him, with the changing nature of jobs globally, it's crucial for individuals to acquire digital and AI literacy skills to participate meaningfully in today's economy.

Several large-scale workforce development programs have been initiated in response to these challenges.

The Waad National Training Campaign, launched in 2023 and supported by over 70 organizations, aims to provide training opportunities to one million people, with plans to expand to three million by the end of 2025.

Notably, the Women's Employment Track under the Waad program has seen a remarkable retention rate among women in tech roles, significantly contributing to increased female participation in the digital economy.

Despite these efforts, the Kingdom still faces talent gaps across critical areas such as AI engineering and cloud computing.

According to recent reports, there is a 20 percent shortfall between available tech jobs and qualified local talent, leading employers to compete fiercely for skilled professionals.

To address short-term needs, Saudi Arabia is also tapping into international expertise through visa programs designed to attract global talent.

Furthermore, the private sector has been adapting by adopting remote hiring models, enabling them to source talent from neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan, thus overcoming some of the local shortages while also aligning with the Kingdom's Telework Initiative that supports remote work opportunities for Saudis, especially women and those residing outside major cities.

Education leaders are now focused on ensuring that graduates meet international standards to compete globally.

This includes revising curricula and fostering partnerships between industry and education institutions.

Encouragingly, Saudi Arabia has seen improvements in its ranking in global talent indices, with companies like STC, Aramco Digital, and Elm actively recruiting from local training centers and boot camps.

The success of these initiatives will ultimately be measured by how effectively new graduates are integrated into the workforce.

If current reforms continue at scale, Saudi Arabia may not only fulfill its domestic tech demands but also emerge as a leading regional hub for digital talent.