The hopes and fears of employees across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

A driven and forward-looking workforce motivated to upskill

Approximately 67% of respondents in KSA acknowledge that upskilling would help them perform their jobs better in the next five years. This aligns with the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing and cultivating its workforce’s skills to match the dynamic labour market, while it holds particular importance in the context of megatrends such as emerging technologies and sustainability, which are shaping the future demand of jobs and skills.

Heightened awareness on the importance of digital and green skills 

A striking three-quarters of respondents in KSA foresee the growing importance of digital skills in their roles over the coming five years, and an impressive 70% expressed confidence in their employers to provide them with the essential resources for enhancing these skills. This emphasises the joint dedication of the Saudi government and the private sector to empower the workforce in the Kingdom with advanced digital skills, thereby elevating their competitiveness.

Survey respondents also signalled a strong focus on green skills, with over 60% acknowledging their significance. This sentiment is in harmony with the Kingdom’s dedication to sustainability, exemplified by initiatives like the Saudi Green Initiatives.

Enthusiasm around AI and trust in its potential 

The workforce in KSA exhibits a remarkable optimism towards AI, as respondents expressed their confidence in its potential to enhance productivity and spur job creation. Nearly half of the respondents in the Kingdom (47%) foresee that AI will amplify workplace productivity and effectiveness, compared to only 31% of the respondents globally. Additionally, 36% believe that AI will pave the way for new job opportunities. 

In the region, the younger generation, Gen Z, stands out as the most optimistic when it comes to AI, as they display a heightened confidence in their capacity to learn new AI-related skills.

This outlook aligns with the Kingdom’s strategic endeavours aimed at accelerating the adoption of data and AI, aligning the competencies of the labour market with the evolving business landscape.

Strategic insights for success 

The Hopes and Fears survey findings provide invaluable insights and actionable steps that business leaders in KSA can implement to drive success, including:

• Empower through upskilling: Business leaders must proactively invest in upskilling initiatives to reap the benefits of a forward-looking workforce in KSA and maintain and propel the competitiveness and adaptability of their workforce. 
• Embrace technology and sustainability: Business leaders need to go beyond the integration of technology and sustainability; they must infuse these skills at the heart of their strategies by placing technology and sustainability at the forefront, while harnessing the workforce’s optimism towards AI and sustainability.
• Thrive through agility: Business leaders must cultivate a culture of agility and adaptability, ensuring their organisations are not just prepared for change but thrive in it, especially given the dynamic Saudi Arabian business environment.

By taking these actions, business leaders in KSA can leverage their motivated workforce’s potential, drive national progress, and position their organisations for sustained success in an ever-evolving landscape.