HRDF Supports Employment of 151,000 Saudis in Industry and Mining

RIYADH — The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) has contributed to the employment of 151,000 Saudi citizens in the industrial and mining sector between 2020 and the first half of 2025, according to an announcement released through the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Kingdom’s official news authority. The milestone reflects Saudi Arabia’s sustained effort to prepare its national talent for roles in one of the fastest-growing pillars of its economy.

The fund said the achievement was built on a combination of specialized training, professional certification and direct employment subsidies, all designed to raise the competitiveness of Saudi workers and connect them to real, sustainable jobs in industry and mining.

Context and Background

Saudi Arabia has identified the industrial and mining sector as a central pillar of its economic diversification strategy, alongside oil and petrochemicals. The Human Resources Development Fund, a government body tasked with qualifying and employing Saudi nationals, has therefore focused significant resources on aligning workforce development with the needs of this expanding sector.

According to information released through official Saudi channels, the period from 2020 to the first half of 2025 saw a coordinated push to localize skilled jobs, encourage private sector hiring, and reduce the cost barriers that often prevent establishments from recruiting and retaining Saudi employees.

Key Details

During the same period, HRDF concluded 24 specialized training agreements linked to employment, with a total value exceeding SAR1 billion. These agreements provided training to more than 9,400 Saudi citizens and achieved an employment sustainability rate of 80 percent, indicating that the majority of participants remained in their positions after training.

The fund also strengthened the sector by supporting 15 professional certifications in specialized fields, helping Saudi workers meet industry and international standards. In addition, assistance to establishments under the Employment Support service was increased to cover 50 percent of an employee’s salary, up to a maximum of SAR3,000, lowering hiring costs and encouraging greater private sector participation.

Implications and Impact

The development carries significance beyond the headline figure. By embedding training directly into employment pathways, the model helps ensure that job creation in industry and mining is matched by a steady supply of qualified Saudi talent, supporting the sector’s capacity to attract domestic and foreign investment.

A sustainability rate of 80 percent suggests that employers are retaining trained Saudi workers, a strong indicator that the skills being developed correspond to genuine labor market demand. For international audiences, the results signal a maturing workforce ecosystem in the Kingdom and a more predictable environment for companies planning industrial and mining operations in Saudi Arabia.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The initiative aligns closely with Saudi Vision 2030, which places human capability development and economic diversification at the heart of the Kingdom’s long-term strategy. Expanding Saudi employment in industry and mining directly supports national goals of increasing non-oil sector contributions, localizing skilled jobs and building a globally competitive workforce.

Through continued training agreements, professional certification support and employment subsidies, HRDF is positioned to extend its contribution to the sector in the years ahead, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a growing industrial and mining hub and a reliable partner in global supply chains.

20 Questions

Q1. What did the Human Resources Development Fund announce?

A1. The Human Resources Development Fund announced that it contributed to the employment of 151,000 Saudi citizens in the industrial and mining sector from 2020 through the first half of 2025, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Q2. How many Saudis were employed in the industrial and mining sector?

A2. The fund supported the employment of 151,000 Saudi citizens in the industrial and mining sector over the period from 2020 to the first half of 2025, according to the official announcement.

Q3. What is HRDF?

A3. The Human Resources Development Fund is a Saudi government entity that supports the employment, training and qualification of Saudi nationals, helping them compete in the private sector labor market while also supporting establishments.

Q4. What period did the reported figures cover?

A4. The reported figures cover the period from 2020 through the first half of 2025, spanning roughly five and a half years of employment, training and qualification initiatives in the industrial and mining sector.

Q5. How many specialized training agreements were concluded?

A5. HRDF concluded 24 specialized training agreements linked to employment during the same period. These agreements were designed to qualify Saudi talent for available roles in the industrial and mining sector.

Q6. What was the total value of these training agreements?

A6. The total value of the 24 specialized training agreements exceeded SAR1 billion. This investment reflects a sustained commitment to building a skilled Saudi workforce for the industrial and mining sector.

Q7. How many citizens received training?

A7. More than 9,400 Saudi citizens received training through these specialized programs. The training was linked directly to employment opportunities, helping participants gain skills relevant to actual jobs in the sector.

Q8. What was the employment sustainability rate?

A8. The agreements achieved an employment sustainability rate of 80 percent. This indicates that the majority of trained citizens remained in their jobs, demonstrating the effectiveness of the training-to-employment model.

Q9. How many professional certifications were supported?

A9. HRDF supported 15 professional certifications in specialized fields. These certifications help Saudi workers meet industry and international standards, strengthening their competitiveness in industrial and mining occupations across the Kingdom.

Q10. What does the Employment Support service cover?

A10. The Employment Support service covers 50 percent of an employee’s salary, up to a maximum of SAR3,000. This support reduces hiring costs for establishments and encourages them to employ Saudi citizens.

Q11. Which sector does this support target?

A11. The support specifically targets the industrial and mining sector, which Saudi Arabia considers a key pillar of its economic diversification strategy and a major source of skilled, sustainable employment opportunities.

Q12. How does this relate to Vision 2030?

A12. The initiative supports Vision 2030 goals by expanding Saudi employment, developing human capabilities and strengthening non-oil sectors. It contributes to diversifying the economy and increasing the contribution of industry and mining.

Q13. Who benefits from HRDF’s support?

A13. Both Saudi jobseekers and private sector establishments benefit. Citizens gain training, certifications and employment opportunities, while companies receive financial incentives that reduce the cost of recruiting and retaining Saudi talent.

Q14. What is the significance of the industrial and mining sector?

A14. Saudi Arabia regards industry and mining as the third pillar of its economy, alongside oil and petrochemicals. The sector is central to diversification, generating jobs and attracting domestic and foreign investment.

Q15. Where was the announcement reported?

A15. The announcement was reported by the Saudi Press Agency, the Kingdom’s official news authority. It reflects information released through official Saudi channels regarding the fund’s employment and training activities across the Kingdom.

Q16. How does the training link to actual jobs?

A16. The 24 training agreements were linked directly to employment, meaning participants are trained for specific roles. This approach helps ensure that graduates move into jobs and remain employed over time.

Q17. What does the 80 percent sustainability rate indicate?

A17. An 80 percent employment sustainability rate indicates that most trained citizens remained in their positions. It suggests that the training matched labor market needs and that employers were satisfied with qualified Saudi talent.

Q18. How does HRDF support establishments?

A18. HRDF supports establishments through employment subsidies covering half of an employee’s salary, up to SAR3,000, alongside training agreements and certification support. These measures lower hiring costs and encourage private sector participation.

Q19. What comes next for the sector?

A19. The fund is expected to continue expanding training, certification and employment support programs in industry and mining, aligning with national strategies to localize jobs and build a competitive Saudi workforce for the future.

Q20. Why does this matter internationally?

A20. The development signals Saudi Arabia’s expanding skilled workforce and open investment environment. It strengthens the Kingdom’s position as a reliable partner in industrial and mining supply chains and supports broader global economic engagement.

---