The Skills Verification Program of Saudi Arabia is implemented to help ensure that its citizens have the skills and expertise needed for success in the workforce. The government introduced the skills verification program under Vision 2030, which diversifies Saudi Arabia’s economy.
Through the Skill Verification Program launched by the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development, the government can employ only skilled workers. The Saudi Arabian government has taken steps to ensure the efficiency of professional workers in its labour market and prevent unqualified people from entering.
In cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development launched the Professional Verification Program to improve and validate the skill level of workers in the Saudi labour market.
Over 1,000 specialised professions across 23 sectors will be required to pass the skill verification exam to ensure they are capable and qualified to perform the job role. It is classified into five phases, starting from July 1, 2021.
The skills verification program is planned to be implemented into five phases:
PROGRAM PHASE | NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES | STARTING DATE |
1st Phase | 3,000 or more workers | July 1, 2021 |
2nd Phase | 500 to 2,999 workers | September 1, 2021 |
3rd Phase | 50 to 499 workers | October 1, 2021 |
4th Phase | 6 to 49 workers | November 3, 2021 |
5th Phase | less than 6 workers | January 2, 2022 |
The program is set into two separate tracks, where the first track aims to evaluate all the skilled workers in their home country through selected international examination centres before arriving in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The second track focuses on examining qualified professionals in Saudi Arabia with the assistance of certified local examination centres.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has set more than 30 professions in the communication and IT sector that will be nationalised at a rate of 25%. Few of the jobs that are included in the Saudization include:
With Corporate Training, you can be part of the skill development and enhance your knowledge to pass the mandatory employment eligibility test implemented by the Saudi government. To create a suitable work environment in the private sector, the Ministry planned to localise the Communications and Information Technology jobs. Some of those professions are:
An Iqama holder (Residence Permit) can check their eligibility to take the Saudi's Professional Verification test through the SVP Qiwa website. You can enter your Iqama number through the website and check your eligibility.
The Skill Verification certificate is valid for five years from the date of issue. You can later revalidate after five years by taking the test. The certificate is issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development upon successfully passing the Skill Verification test.
To Sum Up
The Skills Verification Program is a scheme announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social development that aims to evaluate the skills of foreign workers in the private sector of Saudi Arabia. It was implemented on 1st July 2021, and now its third phase has begun since 1st October 2021. The program is meant to establish a government oversight of foreign workers. It also goes on par with other recent policies that are found to increase Saudization. A skill development institute can help you here with upskilling you or your employee.
Daljeet Kaur Lal is an HR Trainer who has extensive work experience of over 11 years. She is now working with Edoxi Training Institute, Dubai. She develops and executes various HR training programs to ensure that employees have the skills and knowledge to meet the organization's objectives.
She is passionate about learning new things. She enjoys spending her free time reading favourite books and listening to all-time favourite melodies in English and Hindi. She is also keenly involved in Adventurous activities and loves to travel a lot.