Misk Skills Expands Hyundai Partnership to Empower Saudi Talent

The Mohammed bin Salman Foundation “Misk” has announced the expansion of its collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group through its Misk Skills Track under the Traineeship Program, providing Saudi students and graduates with global training opportunities at the group’s headquarters in Seoul. The announcement, released via the Saudi Press Agency, confirms that ten Saudi students and graduates were selected for the eight-week program, which began on July 6, 2026, compared with just two trainees in the initiative’s first edition in 2025. The significant increase in participant numbers reflects the growing scale and ambition of the partnership between one of the Kingdom’s most prominent youth development institutions and one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers.

The selection process assessed candidates on professional competence, global communication skills, and potential for growth and development, ensuring that those chosen represent the very best of Saudi Arabia’s emerging talent pool. Participants are now undertaking an intensive training experience at Hyundai Motor Group facilities, gaining exposure to the company’s future technologies and strategic initiatives while contributing to projects and research related to the Saudi and Middle Eastern markets. Could this be the beginning of a new era of Saudi talent shaping the global automotive industry?

Context and Background

The Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, widely known as Misk, was established to empower Saudi youth and unlock their potential across a wide range of fields, from entrepreneurship and media to technology and leadership. The Misk Skills Track under the Traineeship Program represents one of the foundation’s flagship efforts to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world professional experience. By partnering with global leaders such as Hyundai Motor Group, Misk ensures that Saudi talent is not only prepared for the domestic job market but is also competitive on the international stage.

Hyundai Motor Group, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, is one of the largest automotive manufacturers in the world, with a portfolio that includes Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands. The group has been actively expanding its presence in the Middle East, recognizing the region’s growing importance as a market for both traditional and electric vehicles. The collaboration with Misk aligns with Hyundai’s broader strategy of investing in local talent and building long-term relationships in markets where it operates. How often do global corporations get the chance to directly shape the next generation of leaders in a rapidly transforming economy?

The first edition of the Misk Skills Track with Hyundai in 2025 involved only two trainees, making the jump to ten participants in 2026 a fivefold increase. This expansion signals both the success of the pilot program and the deepening commitment of both organizations to youth development. It also reflects the broader momentum of Saudi Arabia’s human capital development efforts, which have become a central pillar of the Kingdom’s long-term transformation agenda.

Key Details of the Expanded Program

The eight-week program, which commenced on July 6, 2026, is designed to provide participants with hands-on experience in a global corporate environment. The trainees are working at Hyundai Motor Group’s headquarters in Seoul, where they are exposed to the company’s future technologies and strategic initiatives. This includes areas such as electric mobility, autonomous driving, smart manufacturing, and sustainable transportation solutions. The participants are also contributing to projects and research specifically related to the Saudi and Middle Eastern markets, giving them a unique vantage point on how global companies tailor their strategies to regional needs.

The selection process for the ten trainees was rigorous, evaluating candidates on professional competence, global communication skills, and potential for growth and development. This comprehensive approach ensures that the selected individuals are not only technically proficient but also capable of representing Saudi Arabia effectively in an international setting. The trainees come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, reflecting the broad spectrum of talent that Misk seeks to nurture across the Kingdom.

What does it mean for a young Saudi professional to spend eight weeks embedded in one of the world’s most innovative automotive companies? For many participants, this experience is likely to be transformative, offering insights that cannot be gained in a classroom or through domestic internships alone. The program also provides a platform for participants to build international networks, which can prove invaluable as they advance in their careers and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification.

International and Regional Impact

The expansion of the Misk-Hyundai collaboration carries significance beyond the individual participants. It represents a deepening of ties between Saudi Arabia and South Korea, two nations that have steadily strengthened their economic and strategic partnership in recent years. South Korea is a key trading partner for the Kingdom, and collaborations in areas such as technology, manufacturing, and human capital development are central to the broader bilateral relationship. By investing in Saudi talent, Hyundai Motor Group is also investing in its own future presence in the Middle East, where demand for advanced vehicles and mobility solutions continues to rise.

For the region, the program serves as a model of how international corporations can engage meaningfully with local communities and contribute to capacity building. As more Saudi graduates gain exposure to global best practices, they return with skills and perspectives that can be applied to domestic industries, including the emerging automotive and electric vehicle sectors. Could this program inspire other global companies to launch similar initiatives in the Kingdom? The success of the Misk-Hyundai partnership may well serve as a catalyst for broader corporate engagement in Saudi human capital development.

Economic and Strategic Significance

Saudi Arabia is actively building a knowledge-based economy, and programs like the Misk Skills Track are essential to that effort. The Kingdom’s automotive sector is poised for significant growth, with investments in electric vehicle manufacturing, including the establishment of companies such as Ceer and partnerships with global players like Lucid Motors. Developing a cadre of Saudi professionals with direct experience in the global automotive industry is therefore strategically important. The trainees who complete the Hyundai program will bring back valuable expertise that can support the growth of this sector at home.

Moreover, the program aligns with the Kingdom’s efforts to increase female participation in the workforce and to create opportunities for youth across all regions of the country. While the specific demographics of the ten selected trainees were not disclosed, Misk’s broader mandate includes ensuring that its programs are inclusive and reach talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. What better way to demonstrate the Kingdom’s commitment to youth empowerment than by sending its brightest minds to learn from a global industry leader?

The economic implications also extend to the development of research and development capabilities within Saudi Arabia. As participants contribute to projects related to the Saudi and Middle Eastern markets, they are effectively helping Hyundai better understand and serve the region, while simultaneously gaining insights into how R&D is conducted at a world-class level. This two-way exchange of knowledge is precisely the kind of collaboration that fosters long-term economic partnerships.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The Misk Skills Track and its expanded collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group are directly aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s comprehensive plan for economic diversification and social transformation. Central to Vision 2030 is the development of human capital, with a focus on empowering young Saudis to become leaders in their fields and contributors to a thriving, diversified economy. The program supports the Vision’s objectives of increasing workforce readiness, promoting lifelong learning, and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

By providing Saudi students and graduates with world-class training opportunities, Misk is helping to build the skilled workforce that will drive the Kingdom’s future industries. The partnership with Hyundai also reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for talent development and international collaboration. As the program continues to grow, it will undoubtedly play a role in shaping a new generation of Saudi professionals who are ready to compete and lead on the world stage. Isn’t it fitting that a foundation named after the Crown Prince is at the forefront of preparing Saudi youth for the global economy?

In conclusion, the expansion of the Misk Skills Track with Hyundai Motor Group is a clear indicator of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to its youth and its future. The program not only provides invaluable experience to individual participants but also strengthens the Kingdom’s ties with a key international partner and supports the broader goals of Vision 2030. As these ten trainees embark on their eight-week journey in Seoul, they carry with them the hopes of a nation that is investing in its most valuable resource: its people.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the Misk Skills Track?

A1. The Misk Skills Track is a program under the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation’s Traineeship Program that provides Saudi students and graduates with global training opportunities at leading international companies, such as Hyundai Motor Group.

Q2. How many Saudi trainees participated in the 2026 program?

A2. Ten Saudi students and graduates were selected for the 2026 edition, compared with two trainees in the first edition in 2025, representing a significant expansion of the initiative.

Q3. When did the eight-week program begin?

A3. The eight-week program began on July 6, 2026, and is taking place at Hyundai Motor Group’s headquarters in Seoul, South Korea.

Q4. Where is the training taking place?

A4. The training is being conducted at Hyundai Motor Group’s headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, giving participants direct exposure to the company’s global operations.

Q5. What criteria were used to select the trainees?

A5. The selection process considered professional competence, global communication skills, and potential for growth and development, ensuring that the most capable candidates were chosen.

Q6. What kind of projects are the trainees working on?

A6. The trainees are contributing to projects and research related to the Saudi and Middle Eastern markets, while also learning about Hyundai’s future technologies and strategic initiatives.

Q7. How does this program benefit Saudi Arabia?

A7. The program helps develop a skilled workforce with international experience, supporting Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification and the goals of Vision 2030.

Q8. What is the significance of the expansion from two to ten trainees?

A8. The increase demonstrates the success of the pilot program and reflects the deepening commitment of both Misk and Hyundai to youth development and international collaboration.

Q9. Who announced the expansion?

A9. The Mohammed bin Salman Foundation “Misk” announced the expansion, with the information released via the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Q10. What is Hyundai Motor Group’s role in the partnership?

A10. Hyundai Motor Group is hosting the trainees at its Seoul headquarters, providing access to its future technologies, strategic initiatives, and research projects related to the Middle East.

Q11. How does this collaboration align with Vision 2030?

A11. It supports Vision 2030 by empowering Saudi youth, enhancing human capital development, and fostering international partnerships that contribute to economic diversification.

Q12. What fields are the trainees exposed to?

A12. The trainees are exposed to areas such as electric mobility, autonomous driving, smart manufacturing, and sustainable transportation solutions, among other future technologies.

Q13. How long is the training program?

A13. The program is eight weeks long, running from July 6, 2026, and provides an intensive, immersive experience at Hyundai’s headquarters.

Q14. Are there plans to expand the program further?

A14. While specific future plans were not announced, the expansion from two to ten trainees suggests a positive trajectory for the partnership and potential for further growth.

Q15. What benefits do the trainees gain from the program?

A15. Trainees gain hands-on experience, international networking opportunities, exposure to cutting-edge technologies, and insights into global business practices that will enhance their careers.

Q16. How does this program support Saudi Arabia’s automotive sector?

A16. By developing Saudi professionals with direct experience in the global automotive industry, the program helps build expertise that can support the Kingdom’s emerging automotive and electric vehicle sectors.

Q17. What is the role of the Saudi Press Agency in this announcement?

A17. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) is the official state news agency that released the information about the program, ensuring accurate and authoritative reporting.

Q18. How does this collaboration strengthen Saudi-Korean relations?

A18. It deepens economic and strategic ties between Saudi Arabia and South Korea by fostering people-to-people exchanges and collaboration in technology and human capital development.

Q19. What is the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation’s broader mission?

A19. Misk’s mission is to empower Saudi youth by providing opportunities for skill development, entrepreneurship, leadership, and international exposure across various fields.

Q20. What impact will this program have on the participants’ careers?

A20. Participants will return with enhanced skills, global perspectives, and valuable networks, positioning them as leaders and innovators in their respective fields within Saudi Arabia.

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