The Saudi Minister of Education, Dr. Hamad Al al-Sheikh, showcased Tuesday a study on future jobs, revealing that 65 percent of them don’t currently exist while 41 percent others are subject to replacement.
The study also showed a drop in the unemployment rate during the past four years, reaching 12 percent in 2019 from 12.8 percent in 2017.
Dr. Hamad stressed that some new jobs surfaced with time, and with the change of technique and industries. Also, some skills became a must in all fields, he continued.
The minister highlighted the need to know future jobs, 21st-century skills, and functions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar inaugurated Tuesday Riyadh Economic Forum (REF). Dr. Hamad chaired a session to study future jobs, in which it focused on outlooking future jobs in Saudi Arabia in response to international and local technical, social, and economic changes.
The Chairman of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), Ajlan al-Ajlan, told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the kingdom offers work to everyone.
The changes achieved in the past two years need 20 years to be accomplished, he said.
Moreover, REF continues to present studies and sessions from Jan. 21 till the 23rd of Jan. In its 9th edition, the forum tackles five studies on the role of balanced development in promoting reverse migration, economic reforms and their impact on economic development, the role of the not-for-profit sector in social and economic development, future jobs in the kingdom, and the impact of environmental issues on economic and social development.
This forum was launched 18 years ago to go in tandem with the development requirements and outlook the role that can be played by the private sector to reinforce researches and studies and to boost the economy.
