Global labour leaders seal 31 agreements to boost jobs, training opportunities

The Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC), has witnessed the signing of 31 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between various entities, aiming to provide thousands of training opportunities and jobs for the global workforce.

This agreement was signed at the 2nd edition of the GLMC 2025, launched in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by His Excellency Engineer Ahmad Bin Salman Alrajhi, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, along with 40 labour ministers.

According to the ministers, these initiatives will focus on qualifying diverse groups, such as new graduates, women, and people with disabilities, for suitable employment through specialised training programmes, including development, educational initiatives, leadership preparation, and knowledge-sharing collaborations

Data from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), approximately 67 million young people are currently unemployed, and nearly 20 percent of individuals aged 15 to 54 are either employed or engaged in education, institutions, or training programmes.

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These statistics have also shown that nearly 40 percent of employers report difficulties in filling vacancies due to a mismatch between workforce skills and labour market demands, with youth unemployment exceeding 30 percent in some regions globally.

Highlighting the significance of these agreements, Alrajhi said “These figures highlight the urgent need to develop comprehensive strategies to address these common challenges effectively.”

“Transforming them into opportunities, ultimately we can all work together to ensure the prosperity of our economies, communities, and workforces.”

The minister also noted that the agreements focus on enhancing operational efficiency, fostering innovation, and driving value creation in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.

Key entities involved in these agreements include the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), the International Labour Organization (ILO), Takamol Holding, INSEAD, UiPath, Bella Vista Institute of Higher Education, the Saudi Logistics Academy, the Ministry of Tourism, and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.

The GLMC’s MOU will see several noteworthy collaborations emerged. INSEAD will provide academic services, while partnerships with Space Faculty and ProFun will explore innovation and knowledge sharing. Bella Vista Institute and the Saudi Logistics Academy will deliver tailored training programmes focused on leadership development and capacity building.

The Ministry of Tourism inked MoUs with Marriott Hotels and Arabian Airports to develop workforce qualifications and training initiatives. Princess Nourah University partnered with SEA Ventures to foster entrepreneurship development. A significant development is the establishment of the Kaspersky Knowledge Transfer Centre, designed to advance cybersecurity skills among students and the workforce, among others.