Saudi Arabia's decision to start a new system of recruitment of
foreigners
A skill-based system will be introduced for the recruitment of foreign manpower
Riyadh
(04 April 2023) Saudi Arabia has said that a new
skills-based system will be launched for the recruitment of foreign workforce.
According to the Saudi Gazette, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social
Development (MHRSD) has introduced three proposed models for a new skills-based
recruitment system, part of a study the ministry recently conducted to improve
the Saudi work visa system. In order to increase the level of productivity and
innovation in the Kingdom, the proposed models were categorized into high,
medium, and low.
It
is found that the study took into consideration the recommendations related to
the proposed model, in addition to the international comparison with the
context of the similar model proposed to be implemented in the Kingdom, the
current situation, detailed in this study. A comprehensive analysis of data and
all key aspects of the new recruitment system was also conducted, the study
findings included an implementation plan, detailed project charter, operational
model, and key performance indicators of the recruitment system.
The
ministry also said it had launched the Skill Verification Program (SVP) last
year as part of a scheme to attract more skilled foreign workers, with the
first phase of the program's external track covering Pakistan, India and
Launched in Bangladesh, five occupations, such as a plumber, electrician,
welder, refrigeration/air-conditioning technician and automobile electrician, was selected for skill
testing in the first phase.
In
this regard, Pakistan was the first country to benefit from the Saudi Skilled
Workers Programme. MHRSD launched SVP in Pakistan last September and later it
was introduced in India and Bangladesh. Five of the 23 specializations targeted
by the Ministry are to certify the skills of workers, with the aim of improving
the quality of the professional workforce in the Saudi labor market and raising
the level of professional skills, increasing productivity, And it also aims to
stem the flow of unskilled workers into the Kingdom's labor market.
