In Saudi Arabia, companies are growing fast. From Vision 2030 to mega projects like NEOM and The Red Sea Project, the demand for skilled workers is rising. But finding the right talent isn’t always easy. Many businesses face a serious challenge: the skills they need just aren’t easy to find.

If you’re a Saudi employer struggling to attract qualified professionals in a skills-short market, you’re not alone. But the good news is—there are smart ways to solve this problem. This article explains how your company can attract top talent, even when the market feels dry.

Understanding the Skills Shortage in Saudi Arabia

A skills shortage means there are more job openings than people who are trained or experienced enough to fill them. In Saudi Arabia, this is common in industries like:

• Information Technology (IT)
• Healthcare
• Construction and Engineering
• Oil and Gas
• Hospitality
• Education

Why does this happen?

There are several reasons:

• Fast development: As Saudi Arabia grows quickly, new industries need workers faster than they can be trained.
• Technology shifts: New tools and technologies mean older skills may no longer be enough.
• Global competition: Skilled workers are in demand everywhere, and many are attracted by offers from overseas companies.
• Youth employment gap: While Saudi Arabia has a large number of young people, many of them still need the training or experience required for certain roles.

So, what can you do as an employer? Let’s break it down into clear, simple steps.

1. Build a Strong Employer Brand

An employer brand is how your company is viewed by job seekers. When you build a strong image as a great place to work, top talent will come to you—even if they’re not actively looking for a job.

How to improve your employer brand:

• Offer clear career paths. Let candidates know how they can grow within your company.
• Promote your company culture. Share how your team works together, your values, and what makes your workplace unique.
• Use social proof. Share testimonials from happy employees on your website and social media.
• Invest in community visibility. Sponsor events or join job fairs to raise awareness of your company.

Example: If you’re a tech company in Riyadh, showcase how your developers solve real-world problems using advanced tools. Highlight employee success stories on LinkedIn or Twitter.

2. Offer Competitive Salaries and Benefits

Money still matters. In a skills-short market, the best candidates usually have more than one job offer. If your salary is too low, they’ll look elsewhere.

What to do:

• Research market salaries. Compare your compensation with what other companies in your industry and region are offering.
• Add extra benefits. These could include health insurance, housing allowance, paid training, or even flexible work hours.
• Think beyond cash. Offer benefits that improve quality of life—like childcare support, transport, or wellness programs.

Tip: Make sure your job offers are clearly written and easy to understand. Include all benefits in the offer letter.

3. Train and Upskill Internally

Instead of always searching for the perfect candidate outside, consider training someone from within your team.

Why this works:

• It’s faster than hiring from scratch.
• It builds loyalty and reduces turnover.
• It closes the skills gap from inside the organization.

How to get started:

• Identify employees with potential.
• Offer short courses, certifications, or in-house training.
• Create a mentorship program where senior staff guide junior employees.

Example: A construction company in Jeddah might upskill foremen to become site managers through certified training programs.

4. Widen Your Search Pool

Sometimes, the right talent isn’t where you’re looking.

Here’s how to expand your reach:

• Go international. Use overseas recruitment agencies to tap into skilled labor in countries like Pakistan, India, the Philippines, or Egypt.
• Use remote hiring. For jobs that can be done online—like IT or customer support—hire remote workers.
• Partner with local colleges and training institutes. Work with schools to find fresh graduates and offer internships or apprenticeships.

Tip: Partner with recruitment agencies that specialize in Gulf markets. They already know where to find the right candidates and can save you time.

5. Speed Up Your Hiring Process

Good candidates don’t wait forever. In a skills-short market, they’re likely to accept the first strong offer they receive.

Ways to make hiring faster:

• Cut down the number of interview rounds.
• Use clear job descriptions.
• Keep candidates informed at every stage.
• Give timely feedback and make decisions quickly.

Tip: A delay of even one week can cost you a great candidate. Be ready to act fast when you meet someone who fits.

6. Offer Career Development Opportunities

Many professionals want more than just a paycheck. They want to grow. If your company offers clear learning and growth opportunities, it will stand out.

Ideas to implement:

• Provide regular training and access to certifications.
• Offer promotions or new challenges as rewards for performance.
• Help employees attend conferences or workshops.

Example: If you run a healthcare clinic, offer your nurses the chance to become senior nurses or team leaders through structured development paths.

7. Create a Positive Work Environment

People want to work where they feel safe, respected, and supported.

What makes a good workplace:

• Fair leadership and clear communication
• Respect for work-life balance
• Open feedback culture
• Appreciation for achievements

Tip: Conduct regular employee surveys to understand their needs and improve workplace satisfaction.

8. Work with a Recruitment Agency

When the talent shortage is severe, a reputable recruitment agency like Yaqoot Manpower Services can help you find the right people faster.

How they help:

• They have large talent databases.
• They understand market trends.
• They can pre-screen and shortlist candidates.
• They help with compliance and documentation—especially for overseas hiring.

Final Thoughts

Hiring during a skills shortage can be tough, especially in a fast-changing market like Saudi Arabia. But it’s not impossible. With the right strategies—clear branding, strong offers, training, and expert help—you can still attract the top talent your company needs to grow.

Need Help Finding Skilled Workers?

Yaqoot Manpower Services is here to help. We are a leading ISO-certified recruitment agency in Saudi Arabia, specializing in providing qualified and experienced professionals to companies across Saudi Arabia. Whether you’re hiring for healthcare, engineering, construction, hospitality, or IT—we can connect you with top-tier talent from across the region and beyond.

From shortlisting candidates to managing overseas recruitment and visa processing, we handle everything so you can focus on running your business.

Let’s help you build a team that moves your company forward.