Saudi workforce gap analysis

The workforce gap analysis allows companies to analyse the current positions open in their organization and compare it to the current skills, qualifications and experience of Saudi nationals in the market. Considering the skills available in the market, organizations can find suitable employees and adjust positions as required.

Developing Saudi workforce retention initiatives

In order for companies to remain compliant, they must retain their employees and minimize turnover. There are many methods to do this, but essentially, employees must have an engaging work environment, challenging tasks, job performance appraisals, professional development opportunities, a competitive salary, employee benefits and reward management.

Evaluate and adjust

The Saudization plan should be evaluated, at least annually, to ensure that the plan is on course of meeting objectives and compliance. The plan should also be re-evaluated if the organization undergoes any major changes.

Setting up a training academy within the organization

Medium and large enterprises are able to setup internal training facilities to train Saudi nationals who are close to the requirements for the position. Treating employees as long-term assets and training them to reach global industry standards is beneficial for the company and the employees, as they grow and employee retention increases.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing is another viable way for companies to improve their Saudization ratio, by outsourcing non-essential operations completed by expatriates to a shared services provider and have Saudi nationals complete in-house essential roles.

Saudization preparation is essential for compliance and to reap the benefits of the Saudi government incentives. These incentives make it significantly easier for companies in Nitaqat categories platinum and high green when it comes to visa processing of employees, as opposed to those in the lower Nitaqat categories. Developing initiatives will ensure that compliance is achieved in the long term and the benefits received will allow companies to leverage their business efforts in the Kingdom. Essentially, Saudization aims to have companies find suitable employees from the Saudi national population and use expatriates when the required skills are not available in the Kingdom.