Diriyah, RICS Partner to Empower Saudi Talent

The Diriyah Company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to enhance the training and development of Saudi talent, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The strategic partnership aims to bolster the transfer of knowledge and expertise by creating comprehensive learning and development plans and fostering collaboration across several professional fields within the built environment, governed by RICS standards. The agreement underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to empowering its workforce and preserving its rich heritage.

Context and Background

The MoU was signed by Abdullah Al-Othman, chief human capital officer of Diriyah Company, and Belinda Howell, executive director of regulation and assurance operations at RICS. This collaboration aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes consolidating efforts, simplifying procedures, and empowering entities to deliver on their responsibilities. Diriyah Company remains committed to transforming Diriyah, The City of Earth, into a global destination enriched with culture, entertainment, education, and arts.

Diriyah, a historic city in Saudi Arabia, is undergoing significant development as part of Vision 2030. The partnership with RICS, a global professional body, will ensure that Diriyah’s workforce is equipped with international standards and best practices.

Key Details

The partnership will initially target the training of 15 Saudis from the Diriyah team, with the potential to expand based on organizational needs. The program will exclusively target Diriyah Company employees, providing necessary training for young Saudi talent, Saudi and non-Saudi mid-management professionals, and potentially senior staff. Training will primarily be conducted in Riyadh through webinars and in-person sessions, minimizing disruption to business operations. Opportunities for international training may also be available.

Key areas of collaboration include training and guidance; facilitating the transfer of knowledge to young Saudi professionals in fields such as cost and commercial management, project management, asset and facilities management, real-estate advisory, procurement, and tendering; and highlighting essential business, budgeting, and cost-control skills. Professionals within Diriyah Company will also receive advice on suitable membership routes, including preparing development plans and overseeing the membership journey of young local talent to support their career development.

A joint working team comprising representatives from both Diriyah Company and RICS will be formed to activate areas of collaboration and prepare progress reports. Awareness sessions will demonstrate the advantages of RICS membership and comprehensive courses covering RICS pathway competencies. The MoU also includes a track for building conservation and collaboration on achieving sustainability goals, ensuring that historic buildings are effectively managed, certified, and preserved.

Jerry Inzerillo, chief executive of Diriyah Group, said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with RICS to bring the immense benefits of their programs to our employees and projects by adopting global standards in training and development. It is a significant step towards enhancing our professional capabilities and ensuring the preservation of Diriyah’s rich heritage.”

Justin Young, global chief executive of RICS, stated: “Our collaboration with the Diriyah Company underscores our commitment to promoting cultural, economic, and professional growth within Saudi Arabia. By supporting Diriyah Company, we aim to highlight the roots of this ancient city and its history across various fields, including culture, arts, and knowledge.”

Implications and Impact

This partnership is expected to have significant implications for Saudi Arabia’s workforce development and the preservation of its cultural heritage. By equipping Saudi professionals with internationally recognized skills, the collaboration supports the Kingdom’s goal of building a knowledge-based economy. It also reinforces Diriyah’s position as a global destination for culture and tourism, attracting visitors and investors alike.

Furthermore, the MoU sets a precedent for future collaborations between Saudi entities and international professional bodies, showcasing the Kingdom’s openness to global partnerships and its commitment to excellence.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The MoU aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy, empower citizens, and enhance the quality of life. By investing in human capital and preserving cultural heritage, Diriyah Company and RICS contribute to the realization of these goals. This partnership exemplifies how strategic collaborations can drive sustainable development and position Saudi Arabia as a leader in the global built environment sector.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the purpose of the MoU between Diriyah Company and RICS?

A1. The MoU aims to enhance the training and development of Saudi talent by creating comprehensive learning plans and fostering collaboration in the built environment, governed by RICS standards.

Q2. Who signed the MoU on behalf of Diriyah Company?

A2. Abdullah Al-Othman, chief human capital officer of Diriyah Company, signed the MoU.

Q3. Who signed the MoU on behalf of RICS?

A3. Belinda Howell, executive director of regulation and assurance operations at RICS, signed the MoU.

Q4. How many Saudis will initially be trained under this agreement?

A4. The agreement initially targets the training of 15 Saudis from the Diriyah team, with potential for expansion.

Q5. Where will the training primarily be conducted?

A5. The training will primarily be conducted in Riyadh through webinars and in-person sessions, minimizing disruption to business operations.

Q6. What are some key areas of collaboration in this partnership?

A6. Key areas include cost and commercial management, project management, asset and facilities management, real-estate advisory, procurement, and tendering.

Q7. What did Jerry Inzerillo say about the collaboration?

A7. Jerry Inzerillo, chief executive of Diriyah Group, expressed enthusiasm, stating it is a significant step towards enhancing professional capabilities and preserving Diriyah’s rich heritage.

Q8. What did Justin Young say about the collaboration?

A8. Justin Young, global chief executive of RICS, stated that the collaboration underscores RICS’s commitment to promoting cultural, economic, and professional growth within Saudi Arabia.

Q9. How does the MoU align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030?

A9. The MoU aligns with Vision 2030 by emphasizing the need to consolidate efforts, simplify procedures, and empower entities to deliver on their responsibilities, contributing to cultural and economic development.

Q10. What is the role of the joint working team?

A10. The joint working team, comprising representatives from both organizations, will activate areas of collaboration and prepare progress reports to enable continuous development of the programs.

Q11. What kind of membership advice will Diriyah professionals receive?

A11. Professionals will receive advice on suitable membership routes, including preparing development plans and overseeing the membership journey of young local talent to support career development.

Q12. What does the building conservation track entail?

A12. The building conservation track involves collaboration on achieving sustainability goals, ensuring that historic buildings are effectively managed, certified, and preserved.

Q13. Will the training program include international opportunities?

A13. Yes, there are opportunities for international training based on the needs of the organization, as part of the partnership.

Q14. Who is eligible to participate in the training program?

A14. The program exclusively targets Diriyah Company employees, including young Saudi talent, Saudi and non-Saudi mid-management professionals, and potentially senior staff.

Q15. What are the benefits of RICS membership for participants?

A15. RICS membership offers global recognition, comprehensive courses covering RICS pathway competencies, and access to a network of professionals in the built environment.

Q16. How will the MoU contribute to Diriyah’s transformation?

A16. The MoU will enhance the professional capabilities of Diriyah’s workforce, supporting the transformation of Diriyah into a global destination enriched with culture, entertainment, education, and arts.

Q17. What is the significance of preserving Diriyah’s heritage in this partnership?

A17. Preserving Diriyah’s heritage ensures that its historic buildings are effectively managed and certified, maintaining the city’s cultural significance for future generations.

Q18. How does this partnership reflect Saudi Arabia’s openness to global collaboration?

A18. It showcases the Kingdom’s willingness to partner with international professional bodies like RICS, promoting knowledge exchange and adopting global standards.

Q19. What role does Diriyah Company play in Saudi Arabia’s cultural and economic development?

A19. Diriyah Company contributes by transforming Diriyah into a global destination, collaborating with government and private agencies to enhance cultural and economic development.

Q20. What future opportunities might arise from this MoU?

A20. The MoU could lead to expanded training programs, increased international partnerships, and further development of Saudi talent in the built environment sector, supporting Vision 2030 goals.

---