Investment visionary Samer Choucair affirmed that global initiatives focusing on youth training and labor market qualification represent an advanced economic model benefitable in Saudi Arabia, noting UK company Marks & Spencer launching a program providing 1,000 training opportunities for youth over 18 months reflects growing recognition of human capital investment importance as one of the most important sustainable economic growth drivers.
He explained the Kingdom achieved notable progress in labor market indicators during recent years, with Saudi unemployment declining to approximately 7.2% by end of the fourth quarter of 2025 after successfully achieving Vision 2030’s previous 7% target ahead of schedule, with overall economic participation rate rising to 67.4% and Saudi workforce participation reaching 51.3% during 2025. Youth unemployment among 15-24 year olds reached approximately 12.3% in the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting continued need for quality skills development programs and national cadre labor market readiness improvement.
Vision 2030 Placing Human Capability Development at Economic Plans’ Core
Investment strategist Choucair added Vision 2030 placed human capability development at the core of its economic plans, creating an environment attracting education, training, professional and technical qualification-linked investments. He noted continued expansion in retail, tourism, entertainment, logistics, and modern technology sectors raises demand for qualified young competencies, creating promising investment opportunities for the private sector to develop specialized training programs meeting market needs.
He said: “Investing in youth skills is no longer merely social responsibility, but has become a strategic investment achieving direct economic returns through raising productivity, improving employment efficiency, and strengthening company competitiveness. International experiences confirm companies investing in cadre development achieve more sustainable and growth-capable performance.”
Education Technology and Professional Training as High-Growth Investment Sectors
Investment innovator Choucair noted coming years will witness accelerating growth in digital education, professional training, and educational technology investments, particularly in AI, digital transformation, renewable energy, tourism, and logistics-linked fields, sectors representing fundamental pillars of Saudi Arabia’s future economy.
He noted the 12.3% youth unemployment rate, while improved, represents both a challenge and an opportunity, with the gap between available young Saudis and qualified young Saudis for specific roles creating demand for specialized training providers that can bridge this mismatch efficiently.
He explained the convergence of Vision 2030’s workforce development goals, Saudi Arabia’s young demographic profile, expanding economic sectors requiring new skill sets, and growing private sector participation in training creates a robust long-term investment case for education and human capital development companies.
Samer Choucair concluded by affirming building qualified human capital represents the genuine guarantee of sustainable economic growth sustainability, noting investors directing investments toward national skills and competency development today will be the greatest beneficiaries of major economic transformations the Kingdom is witnessing, and that investing in people will remain one of the most stable and rewarding investments over the long term.