{
“headline”: “HRDF enables 151,000 Saudi jobs in industry and mining”,
“subheadline”: “Fund reports SAR 1bn in job-linked training, 80% retention, salary support and professional certifications to strengthen strategic sectors”,
“slug”: “hrdf-supports-employment-151000-saudis-industry-mining”,
“meta_title”: “HRDF enables 151,000 Saudi jobs in industry and mining | Vision 2030”,
“meta_description”: “Saudi Arabia’s HRDF says 151,000 citizens joined industry and mining from 2020 to H1 2025, backed by SAR 1bn training and salary support, advancing Vision 2030.”,
“keywords”: [“HRDF”, “Saudi Arabia”, “industry”, “mining”, “Vision 2030”, “employment”, “training”, “Saudi Press Agency”, “Human Resources Development Fund”, “salary support”],
“author”: “KSA News Desk”,
“publisher”: “ksa.com”,
“article_body”: “
The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) announced that it has contributed to the employment of 151,000 Saudi citizens in the Kingdom’s industrial and mining sector from 2020 through the first half of 2025, according to a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency on 1 December 2025. The milestone underscores the sustained momentum behind national workforce development in two strategic pillars of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification.
HRDF said it advanced talent readiness through 24 specialized, employment-linked training agreements concluded over the same period with a total value exceeding SAR 1 billion. More than 9,400 Saudi citizens have been trained under these targeted programs, which the fund reported achieved an employment sustainability rate of 80 percent. The focus on job-linked curricula is intended to align skills with employer needs, enhance retention, and accelerate time-to-productivity across factories, processing facilities, and mining operations.
The fund further strengthened sector capabilities by supporting 15 professional certifications in specialized fields, signaling a systematic approach to credentialing and career progression. In parallel, HRDF expanded assistance to establishments through its Employment Support service, providing coverage of 50 percent of a Saudi employee’s salary up to a maximum of SAR 3,000. By partially offsetting payroll costs during the onboarding period, the program encourages companies of all sizes—especially small and medium enterprises—to recruit and develop national talent in technically demanding roles.
Industry and mining are priority engines of growth under the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, central components of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The HRDF measures announced via official channels complement ongoing efforts to localize high-value jobs, build resilient supply chains, and attract advanced manufacturing and mining investments. As the Kingdom scales downstream industries and unlocks mineral resources, a steady pipeline of certified Saudi professionals is instrumental to boosting productivity and ensuring operational excellence.
For international investors and operators, the HRDF outcomes indicate a predictable talent ecosystem supported by clear policy tools—employment-linked training, professional certification pathways, and wage support. These instruments reduce onboarding friction, support technology transfer, and provide companies with the confidence that skilled Saudi teams will be available to sustain growth. The reported 80 percent employment sustainability rate from HRDF training programs points to improved retention and long-term workforce stability, factors closely watched by global industrial and mining firms.
According to the official announcement, HRDF’s approach ties funding to tangible outcomes, with agreements crafted alongside employers to meet precise competency needs. Support for professional certifications helps codify standards across critical disciplines relevant to plant operations, maintenance, safety, and resource development. Meanwhile, the salary support mechanism provides near-term relief as companies integrate new hires and scale production, reinforcing the competitiveness of the Saudi labor market while maintaining a strong emphasis on skills and performance.
As the Kingdom advances its economic transformation, HRDF’s contribution to industrial and mining employment underscores a broader Vision 2030 priority: cultivating a high-caliber national workforce that powers non-oil growth and strengthens global competitiveness. Continued collaboration between HRDF, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources is expected to deepen the talent base, support innovation, and enable new partnerships with international leaders in manufacturing and mining—positioning Saudi Arabia as a dynamic, reliable hub for advanced industry driven by Saudi talent.
“,
“article_summary”: “Saudi Arabia’s Human Resources Development Fund reports it has helped 151,000 citizens enter industry and mining roles from 2020 to mid-2025. Backed by SAR 1 billion in employment-linked training, professional certifications, and salary support, the initiative aligns with Vision 2030’s drive to localize high-value jobs and strengthen strategic sectors.”,
“country_focus”: “Saudi Arabia”,
“content_type”: “News”,
“language”: “en”,
“geo_region”: “Middle East”,
“vision_2030_alignment”: “Expands national human capital, supports localization of high-value jobs, strengthens non-oil growth in priority sectors under NIDLP, and enhances global competitiveness.”,
“primary_sources”: [“Saudi Press Agency”, “Human Resources Development Fund”, “Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development”],
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“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “NewsArticle”,
“headline”: “HRDF enables 151,000 Saudi jobs in industry and mining”,
“author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “KSA News Desk”},
“publisher”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “ksa.com”},
“description”: “Saudi Arabia’s HR