Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Mohammed bin Saad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Al-Kharj, and His Excellency Mr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, Minister of Education, and in the presence of several CEOs and senior officials from both public and private sectors, the Institute of Food Industries held a graduation ceremony on May 25, 2025, celebrating the graduation of 354 students specializing in critical fields such as food production, supply chain management, and occupational health and safety. This initiative is part of a “training-to-employment” model designed to integrate graduates directly into the labor market.
The Institute, co-founded by Almarai, is a key pillar of the company’s national commitment to developing human capital. It stands as a pioneering model aligning education with labor market demands and promoting job localization in the industrial sector in accordance with the highest technical standards. The Institute’s graduates are integral to achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in localization and food security.
In his speech at the ceremony, Mr. Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Badr, Chairman of the Institute of Food Industries and CEO of Almarai, stated:
“Today we gather to celebrate a moment of great pride as we witness the graduation of a new class of promising national talents. These graduates are a shining example of what knowledge combined with determination and hard work can achieve. This milestone is a continuation of the Institute’s pivotal role in supporting Vision 2030 through the preparation of specialized cadres that enhance national food security and improve the efficiency of supply chains.”
Al-Badr noted that the launch of the new “Logistics and Supply Chain” program marks a strategic step that reflects the Institute’s ongoing commitment to developing labor market-aligned programs aimed at preparing specialized national talents capable of managing one of the most vital sectors supporting Vision 2030. He expressed his confidence that this initiative will open new horizons for employment and technological advancement, further strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub.
This year, the Institute implemented significant updates to its curricula, incorporating technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and robotics, along with advanced industrial simulation models. These tools allow trainees to apply their knowledge in realistic training environments that simulate industrial settings, thereby enhancing performance and professional readiness. The launch of the Logistics and Supply Chain program during the ceremony is a strategic move to equip national professionals to lead this essential sector, which is foundational to realizing Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s ambition to become a global logistics center.
The ceremony also included the announcement of new strategic partners joining the Institute’s journey: Lactalis, UTEC, Al-Amal, and Aquat, further strengthening the collaborative efforts to develop national human capital.
The Institute of Food Industries is one of the programs under the National Center for Strategic Partnerships. It was established through a partnership between the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) and Almarai, with support from the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF). The Institute offers a range of disciplines including food production technologies (with diplomas in bakery, juice, and dairy processing), farm technologies, as well as maintenance (for heavy and light machinery), and electrical and air-conditioning specialties. To date, the Institute has graduated more than 2,500 students, underscoring the success of the public-private partnership model in preparing highly qualified and job-ready national professionals.