Developing a national Skills Unit to strengthen TVET in Saudi Arabia
Connecting technical education with labour market needs
The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) wanted to establish a dedicated Skills Unit in Riyadh as part of national reforms to skills provision.
We developed the operating model, governance framework, processes and supporting documentation for the new Skills Unit. The project drew on international best practice while being tailored to the Saudi Arabian context.
TVTC plays a central role in delivering technical and vocational education and training across Saudi Arabia. They required the Skills Unit to help ensure qualifications, assessments and training programmes remain aligned with employer needs, emerging skills requirements and national priorities.
The challenge
Saudi Arabia is investing in the development of a highly skilled workforce to support economic diversification and future growth. To achieve this, TVTC needed a structured and sustainable way to gather labour market intelligence and use it to inform technical and vocational education and training provision.
The organisation wanted to establish a Skills Unit that could:
- monitor current, emerging and future workforce needs
- strengthen links between employers and education providers
- support the development and review of qualifications and assessments
- improve the use of labour market intelligence across the TVET system
- provide clear governance, processes and accountability for skills alignment activities.
TVTC also wanted the new unit to align with wider developments within Saudi Arabia's skills ecosystem, including the introduction of Sector Skills Councils and broader TVET reforms.
Our approach
Our TVET policy and governance specialists worked closely with TVTC and Colleges of Excellence stakeholders to develop a practical model tailored to the needs of Saudi Arabia. The project combined stakeholder engagement, international research and system design expertise.
Initial review
We reviewed the existing TVET landscape, including regulation, structures, operations and effectiveness, and engaged with stakeholders across government, regulation, skills development and technical education.
Benchmark international practice
We examined skills systems in countries including the UK, Germany, Singapore, Australia, the Netherlands, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, focusing on labour market intelligence, employer engagement, quality assurance, governance and qualification development.
Design for local delivery
Using this evidence, we developed a bespoke model for TVTC that reflected international best practice while responding to the specific needs of the Saudi skills system.
What we delivered
The project delivered a comprehensive framework for establishing and operating the Skills Unit. Outputs included:
International benchmarking and research
A detailed comparison of successful international TVET systems and skills intelligence models, identifying practices that could be adapted for the Saudi context.
Skills Unit operating model
A complete operating model setting out the purpose, responsibilities and core functions of the new unit, including labour market intelligence gathering, analysis, interpretation and dissemination.
Governance framework
A governance model defining how the Skills Unit would work with external stakeholders, including Sector Skills Councils, employers, professional bodies, regulators and government partners.
Organisational structure
Recommendations on leadership, resourcing, operational responsibilities and working practices required to support effective delivery.
Procedures and operational documentation
A suite of procedural templates and guidance documents covering key Skills Unit activities. These helped support consistent implementation as well as future operation.
Digital dashboard specification
Technical specification and operating model for a digital platform enabling TVTC to collect, analyse and use labour market and education data.
The outcome
The project provided TVTC with a complete blueprint for establishing a national Skills Unit designed to strengthen the connection between technical education and labour market needs.
By combining international research, stakeholder engagement and practical operational design, we created a framework that would enable TVTC to:
- make greater use of labour market intelligence when planning provision
- strengthen engagement with employers and industry representatives
- support more responsive qualification and assessment development
- improve evidence-based decision-making
- establish clear governance and accountability for skills alignment activities.
The work was delivered as a strategic design and development project. While implementation was undertaken by TVTC, the project provided the structures, processes and documentation needed to support the establishment and future operation of the Skills Unit.
TVET and skills development
We offer bespoke services to align training with your labour market needs, including
- TVET and governance policy
- Internationally benchmarked National Occupational Standards (NOS)
- Qualification development
- Practical assessments
- Skills frameworks and resources
Shaun Smith: Our skills expert
Shaun Smith has worked in Vocational Assessment for 30 years. In his role as Deputy Director of Qualifications, he has led projects to improve the alignment of vocational training with the demands of labour markets and emerging needs for multiple organisations around the world.
Contact us to arrange an online consultation with Shaun to discuss your goals for technical and vocational education and training.
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