Saudi Arabia's flyadeal Teams Up With Coursera To Upskill Employees For Digital Economy

In an era where technology and artificial intelligence are transforming the workplace at an unprecedented pace, the importance of equipping employees with up-to-date skills cannot be overstated. Recognizing this, flyadeal, a rapidly expanding low-cost carrier in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East, has embarked on a strategic partnership with Coursera, global online learning platform. This collaboration is set out to reskill flyadeal’s workforce, focusing on essential areas such as technology, operational efficiency, customer service, business, supply chain management, and finance.

The initiative is a proactive response to predictions by the World Economic Forum, which states that 44% of workers' skills will undergo significant changes within the next five years due to the accelerated adoption of technology. Moreover, the WEF anticipates that by 2027, 60% of employees will need to undergo retraining, though currently, only half have access to sufficient training opportunities. This need for continuous education is a core element of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to develop a skilled workforce capable of driving economic growth and diversification through comprehensive skills development initiatives.

Image Courtesy: flyadeal

flyadeal's collaboration with Coursera opens the door for its staff, including cabin crew, office personnel, and maintenance teams, to a vast array of first-rate content and credentials from leading universities and industry experts. This opportunity is tailored to enhance their capabilities, improve productivity, and maintain competitiveness in a rapidly evolving job market.

Hanan Badri, flyadeal's Chief People Officer, emphasized the significance of this endeavor, stating, "In the highly competitive world we live in, it's important to provide employees with the necessary skills to evolve into the next phase of their careers."

Badri further elaborated on the partnership's goals, "Our partnership with Coursera is an investment in our workforce designed to provide upskill training through online learning tools that improve their overall skills, not just industry related, but across different disciplines in business management, technology and personal development.

"We hope these free tools will give employees the confidence to embrace more learning opportunities to better themselves, to seek promotional opportunities and continue being part of the exciting journey of dynamic growth that flyadeal has embarked on."

The strategic alliance with Coursera underscores flyadeal's commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning by leveraging Coursera's extensive online ecosystem. It offers employees flexible and dynamic learning opportunities, enabling them to learn at their pace and according to their schedules.

Kais Zribi, Coursera's General Manager for the Middle East and Africa, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to partner with flyadeal to support their dedication to ongoing professional development."

Zribi also highlighted the broader implications of such initiatives, "As Saudi Arabia aspires to become a leader in the digital economy, it is crucial for companies to build high-performing teams capable of adapting to change. Through this collaboration, we aim to equip flyadeal's workforce with the skills necessary to thrive in the evolving economy and the ever-changing work landscape."

This partnership marks a significant milestone in promoting lifelong learning within the aviation sector in Saudi Arabia, aligning with Vision 2030's objectives to bridge talent gaps through upskilling. Such collaborative efforts demonstrate Saudi Arabia's commitment to building a skilled, technologically proficient workforce ready to meet the challenges of the future.