Saudi ICT and digital workforce development
Crown Venture Company is developing technology-enabled ICT workforce solutions for employers of all sizes across Saudi Arabia. From businesses with 2–50 employees strengthening essential IT support capabilities to SMEs and major organisations developing specialist cybersecurity, network engineering, digital operations and telecommunications teams, the proposed model combines employer-informed learning, practical simulations, workplace development and competency-based assessment. All programmes remain in development and subject to applicable Saudi regulatory approvals, written agreements and formal recognition arrangements.
Current status: programmes in development and subject to applicable approvals
Proposed framework
Our vision
To help Saudi nationals and eligible residents develop credible ICT and digital capability that can contribute to employers across every part of the Kingdom’s economy.
Our proposed approach is intended to contribute to workforce-development priorities associated with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Program by supporting the knowledge, skills and professional capability required across a modern digital economy. Crown Venture Company does not claim government sponsorship, endorsement, funding or approval.
Read about the Human Capability Development Program ↗Proposed technical pathways
These five proposed pathways are being developed for consultation with employers across Saudi Arabia’s economy. They are intended to support organisations ranging from businesses with 2–50 employees requiring essential ICT capability to SMEs, medium-sized organisations and major employers developing specialist technical teams. Final programme titles, content, delivery, assessment and recognition will be confirmed only after the relevant written agreements and applicable Saudi approvals are in place.
User support, ticket handling, device configuration, operating systems, troubleshooting, service management and secure day-to-day digital operations. These capabilities are relevant to organisations in every sector that depend on reliable users, devices, systems and digital services.
Network design, switching, routing, IP services, wireless connectivity, infrastructure installation, monitoring, troubleshooting and secure network operations. These capabilities support connected environments including offices, hospitals, campuses, hotels, retail sites, warehouses and industrial facilities.
Mobile network principles, radio access and core-network awareness, operational monitoring, fault diagnosis, service assurance and safe field coordination. This specialist pathway is intended for telecommunications providers, infrastructure organisations and employers whose operations depend on mobile or field-network capability.
Fibre preparation, termination, splicing, cleaning, optical testing, loss-budget checks, installation quality, fault location and safe field working. These capabilities may support telecommunications, construction, infrastructure, energy, industrial and large-site connectivity projects.
Security monitoring, vulnerability assessment, access control, incident triage, threat analysis, system hardening and evidence-based response. These capabilities are relevant across regulated and digitally dependent sectors including finance, healthcare, government, education, retail, hospitality, logistics, energy and manufacturing.
Programme names, levels, eligibility, delivery and assessment arrangements will be confirmed before enrolment. UK occupational and apprenticeship standards may inform programme design, but they do not automatically constitute an approved Saudi qualification.
Cross-industry workforce development
Digital capability is essential across every part of Saudi Arabia’s economy. Crown Venture’s proposed workforce-development model is intended to help employers strengthen the ICT capabilities required within their own organisations. It is not an outsourced or managed IT-support service.
Build essential in-house capability for user support, device management, secure working, basic connectivity and dependable day-to-day digital operations.
Develop existing employees, formalise helpdesk and support practices, close identified skills gaps and establish clear ownership of growing ICT responsibilities.
Strengthen dedicated ICT teams with structured capability in infrastructure, networks, cybersecurity, service operations and cross-department technical problem-solving.
Develop specialist and role-specific technical capability at scale through practical simulations, competency assessment and evidence-based workforce reporting.
Potential applications: healthcare and hospitals; banking, finance and insurance; construction and engineering; retail and e-commerce; hotels, hospitality and tourism; logistics and transportation; manufacturing and industrial operations; oil, gas and energy; education and universities; government and public services; and telecommunications and technology.
These examples describe potential employer markets. They do not represent existing customers, secured partnerships or approved programmes.
Three proposed delivery models
The final commercial, contractual and regulatory structure would be confirmed with the relevant Saudi authorities and participating organisations before any programme is advertised as available or begins delivery.
Under a future pilot, a participating government or public-sector body could help define priority occupations, target groups and intended outcomes. Subject to written agreements and all applicable approvals, Crown Venture Company would coordinate programme design with appropriately licensed training providers and separately appointed assessment and employer participants.
Under the proposed model, a participating employer could commission structured development for eligible new or existing employees, aligned to defined workplace responsibilities and agreed technical capabilities. Delivery would begin only after the programme, contracts, responsibilities and applicable approvals were confirmed.
Candidates may fund clearly priced training and career preparation. Any subsequent Crown Venture Company employment and host placement would operate under separate, compliant contracts and only where the required licences are in place.
Commercial safeguard: Crown Venture Company does not currently present these proposed models as available regulated services. Training charges, employee wages and employer service fees would be documented separately. Employment, placement, training, recruitment or workforce-supply activity will proceed only under the licences, contracts, wage-protection arrangements and Saudi requirements that apply. No public funding or incentive is assumed.
Proposed learner journey
BCS describes a UK IT apprenticeship as a paid job combining hands-on work with structured off-the-job training, followed by independent end-point assessment. Crown Venture Company is exploring how an approved Saudi programme could use comparable principles. The proposed model may also support employer workforce development that does not involve employment, placement or a formal apprenticeship structure.
Confirm eligibility, motivation, starting capability and occupational pathway.
Agree the employment, host placement, supervision and workplace responsibilities.
The proposed approach may combine live teaching, guided online study, practical simulations, mentoring and relevant workplace activities where these are available and formally agreed.
Track knowledge, skills and behaviours and confirm evidence before assessment.
Where a formally approved programme and written assessment arrangement exist, assessment would be conducted through the appropriately authorised organisation. Assessment, certification, employment and progression would not be guaranteed.
Outcomes and accountability
Each pilot would begin with agreed baselines, targets and reporting intervals. Results would be shared transparently with programme partners.
Achievement against the approved knowledge, skills and behaviour requirements, including first-attempt assessment outcomes.
Participation, continuation and successful completion across each employer, pathway and learner cohort.
Where applicable, retention in meaningful work at agreed milestones following placement or programme completion.
Direct employment, promotion, expanded responsibility or movement into a relevant digital role.
Evidence of developing technical capability, supervisor or employer feedback and measurable contribution to the organisation’s identified ICT priorities.
Growth in confidence, independence, professional behaviours and readiness for continued learning.
No performance results are presented at concept stage. Measures and targets will be confirmed for each formally agreed pilot.
Developing digital capability
Crown Venture is developing a technology-enabled model intended to support employers across different industries and Saudi regions.
Proposed repeatable practice environments designed around defined technical capabilities and realistic workplace contexts.
Proposed technical activities that could be adapted to employer roles, operational priorities and different levels of experience.
Proposed remote learning and guided technical practice intended to support employers across Saudi regions.
Planned collection of relevant technical evidence, subject to approved assessment, privacy and data-governance arrangements.
Proposed evidence-based reporting to help employers understand skills development and identify further workforce priorities.
These capabilities remain under development and are not presented as accredited, approved or fully operational services.
Reference framework
BCS and Skills England publish information relevant to digital occupations and apprenticeships in England. Crown Venture Company may consult this publicly available material when developing its proposed ICT workforce solutions. This reference does not create a partnership, endorsement, approved-centre relationship, qualification, certificate or recognition in Saudi Arabia. Any formal role for BCS or another awarding or assessment organisation would require a separate written agreement and all applicable Saudi approvals.
Programme clarity
These answers distinguish the proposed Saudi model from formally approved UK apprenticeships and qualifications.
No. Crown Venture Company does not currently claim that BCS is a programme partner, awarding organisation, assessor or endorser. Any future BCS involvement, qualification, assessment or certification would require a written agreement defining BCS’s role and all applicable Saudi licences and approvals before enrolment, delivery or advertising.
The company is currently developing the programme and its partnerships. Direct delivery will begin only after the relevant commercial activities, training licences, programme approvals and any other applicable Saudi authorisations are in place. Until then, development work remains at concept stage or subject to separately verified arrangements with appropriately licensed providers.
No. UK apprenticeship standards provide an established occupational reference. The Saudi programme structure, legal status, duration, recognition and employment arrangements would be agreed locally.
The proposed framework includes employer role-mapping, initial assessment, planned learning, workplace evidence, progress reviews, readiness checks and independent assessment where formally approved.
Employers would provide a relevant role or placement, suitable supervision, meaningful work, access to evidence and regular feedback on learner performance and organisational value.
No. Crown Venture’s current proposition concerns the development and assessment of employers’ own ICT capability. Managed or outsourced IT services are not currently offered through this website and would require a separate commercial, contractual and regulatory decision.
Our leadership
Crown Venture Company is led by three founding partners who combine apprenticeship, quality assurance, business and technical experience.
CEO's mission
“My ambition is to help Saudi Arabia’s next generation develop the skills, confidence and character to build successful careers and contribute meaningfully to the Kingdom. Through Crown Venture Company, we will connect high-quality learning with real workplace opportunity, helping emerging talent become capable, adaptable and ready for the future. Our purpose goes beyond qualifications: we aim to develop people who can create value, lead responsibly and support Saudi Arabia’s continued progress.”
Chief Executive Officer & Founding Partner
Shahbaz is an accomplished apprenticeship and digital-skills leader with more than two decades of experience in technical education and workforce development. A Chartered IT Professional and Member of BCS, with an MSc in Information Security, he combines technical expertise with extensive leadership across programme delivery, curriculum development, assessment, independent end-point assessment and quality assurance.
He has worked with leading UK awarding and assessment organisations, including BCS, Pearson, NCFE and City & Guilds. His assessment and quality-assurance assignments have also involved personnel from the Royal College of Signals, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and the Metropolitan Police’s forensic services, both in the United Kingdom and overseas. As CEO of Crown Venture Company, Shahbaz provides the strategic direction, sector credibility and commitment to quality required to build trusted, employer-aligned digital skills pathways for Saudi Arabia.
Director & Founding Partner
Mazhar brings nearly 25 years of management experience with Tesco, one of the United Kingdom’s largest retailers. His career has developed substantial expertise in operational leadership, workforce planning, team development, customer experience, commercial performance and the practical delivery of change within a fast-paced, highly accountable organisation.
At Crown Venture Company, Mazhar contributes experienced commercial and operational judgement to corporate governance, strategic planning, market engagement and partnership development. His understanding of service standards, customer behaviour and organisational performance helps ensure that the company’s programmes are credible, responsive to employer priorities and capable of being delivered effectively at scale.
Technology & Innovation Lead and Founding Partner
Ijaz brings professional experience across artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, computer networking and blockchain-based technologies, developed through roles with several organisations. His interests sit at the intersection of established IT systems and rapidly evolving digital capability.
At Crown Venture Company, he contributes to technology strategy, programme innovation and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies. His focus is on ensuring that digital learning remains practical, secure and relevant to the future needs of employers and the Saudi economy.
Partnership discussions
We welcome early discussions with employers of all sizes and industries, government and public bodies, education organisations, appropriately licensed training providers, assessment organisations and relevant sector stakeholders.
Crown Venture Company
Saudi Arabia
General enquiriesinfo@crownventureksa.com
CEO and strategic partnershipsshahbaz.ahmed@crownventureksa.com
Operationsmazhar.ali@crownventureksa.com
Technology and innovationijaz.ahmed@crownventureksa.com
