The Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF) in Saudi Arabia spent more than $1.2 billion to support training and empowerment in the labor market during the first half of this year.
The Fund provides subsidies for the rehabilitation, training, and employment of the national workforce in the private and non-profit sectors and provides a percentage of the employee's wages.
On Thursday, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development and HADAF Chairman, Ahmed al-Rajhi, revealed the Fund's contribution during the first half of this year in supporting the employment of 201,000 male and female citizens to work in the private sector.
The Fund also provided services to more than 79,000 establishments.
The Director General of HADAF, Turki al-Jawini, asserted that the Fund would continue its efforts to support the development of national human capital, ensure employment sustainability, stimulate the private sector to increase Saudization and empower citizens in various fields of the labor market.
The Fund supported the employment of 96,000 male and female citizens in private sector establishments during the first quarter of 2023.
Through its various programs, initiatives, and products, HADAF achieved a 26 percent increase compared to the same period last year, which saw the support of 76,000 young men and women.
At the time, the general manager highlighted the government's support in developing human capital, sustaining employment, and stimulating the private sector to contribute to Saudization.
He touched on strengthening the Fund's partnership with all relevant authorities in training, employing, and empowering national cadres and increasing their competitiveness in the labor market.
The Fund's new strategy has increased the number of beneficiaries of programs, services, and products both at the level of individuals and private sector establishments.
During the first three months of 2023, 836,000 male and female citizens benefited from empowerment, counseling, and training services, with a growth rate of 29 percent compared to 646,000 beneficiaries for the same period in 2022.
