Al-Rajhi: Training and qualification opportunities in Wa’ad campaign jump to 4.5 million

Hail — Human Resources and Social Development Minister Eng. Ahmed Al-Rajhi reported a surge in the number of Saudis employed in the private sector, reaching 2.7 million. He highlighted an increase in non-profit organizations' contribution to GDP, which now exceeds SR73 billion, accounting for 1.55 percent. These changes reflect significant labor market transformations and the expansion of training and volunteer work sectors.

Al-Rajhi made these remarks during a program at the Hail Chamber of Commerce during his visit to Hail. Under the Wa’ad campaign, training and qualification opportunities have surged to 4.5 million, with 2 million already completed. The national training campaign, launched by the ministry, aims to develop human capital and align the Saudi workforce with Vision 2030.

Over 1.5 million individuals have benefited from training programs funded by the Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF) at a cost exceeding SR3.8 billion. The minister also noted the significant growth of the non-profit sector, with its employee base expanding from 19,200 in 2017 to 141,432 in 2024. Development spending in the sector rose from around SR1.6 billion to SR6.1 billion over the same period.

Beneficiary satisfaction with non-profit services reached nearly 90 percent, and the number of non-profit organizations grew by over 382 percent by 2026, surpassing 8,000. Specialized organizations supporting development priorities accounted for about 97 percent of all organizations. Al-Rajhi also disclosed that the number of volunteers in the Kingdom exceeded 1.7 million by 2025, with 185,000 participants serving pilgrims.

The Social Development Bank provided total support of SR170 billion since its establishment, emphasizing the broader efforts to enhance social and economic development and increase national talent participation in the labor market.