Riyadh – Mubasher: Dell Technologies, Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco), and the National IT Academy have signed an agreement to upskill Saudi students in science and technology.

The four-month ITXcelerate programme will provide recent Saudi graduates in computer engineering, CS, and IT with Dell's proven professional certifications in areas like storage, data science and AI, according to a press release.

It includes hands-on learning through job shadowing and mentoring to go beyond theory.

The immersive training aims to equip local talent with in-demand skills for today's data-driven jobs.

The collaboration aligns with Saudi Arabia's vision of developing a vibrant tech sector and workforce capable of fuelling the nation's technological advancement and economic prosperity.

By combining expertise and resources, the partners demonstrate commitment to cultivating a competent, future-ready IT talent pool in the kingdom.

Nabil Al Nuaim, Senior Vice President, Digital and Information Technology, at Saudi Aramco, said: “This agreement underscores our plan to nurture a skilled workforce that will not only contribute to Saudi 2030 Vision but also showcase the nation's prowess on the international tech landscape.”

Majed Al Ghassab, Executive Director, NITA, stated: “We believe this agreement will help play a crucial role in preparing Saudi Arabia’s emerging talent for success in the dynamic job market and contribute to the nation's ambitious technology goals.”

Mohammed Amin, Senior Vice President, CEEMETA, Dell Technologies, commented: “By sharing our IT industry expertise and providing practical mentorship and industry certification, we aim to equip Saudi young people with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the ever-evolving tech landscape.”

In May 2023, Big data analytics company Presight AI Holding, a subsidiary of UAE's G42, inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dell Technologies to accelerate digital transformation and innovation across various sectors in the Middle East.

In 2023, Aramco logged a 24.71% year-on-year (YoY) plunge in net profit to SAR 454.76 billion from SAR 604.01 billion a year earlier.