Serco’s graduate program in KSA supports local talent

The program is aimed at Saudi national candidates who have recently graduated from university and hold a degree related to business management or engineering. (Supplied)
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Updated 19 July 2021
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Serco’s graduate program in KSA supports local talent

For the second consecutive year, Serco Middle East, an international public services company, has announced the launch of its 2021 Graduate Program, following the successful launch in 2020. The award-winning program will provide a two-year placement at Serco for selected graduates with a passion for business and support them to develop the skills required to become a future leader.
The program is aimed at Saudi national candidates who have recently graduated from university and hold a degree related to business management, engineering or have a passion for the business world and a commitment to making a difference to the lives of citizens in the region. Serco has a strong nationalization agenda in the Kingdom and supports regional governments and large corporations in the areas of citizen services, transport, healthcare, defense, justice and immigration. The launch of this program demonstrates Serco’s commitment to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by supporting local talent who are taking their first steps to becoming part of a skilled national workforce.
The company will be putting selected graduates at the forefront of the business and allowing them to contribute to meaningful and vital government and citizen services and solutions. The graduates will be able to develop their capability to manage teams, build customer relationships, manage customers, solve complex problems and communicate effectively in a multinational environment. They will also have early exposure to senior managers who will coach and mentor them throughout their journey.




We’re delighted that the success of the graduate program has enabled us to welcome another round of candidates into our Serco Middle East office in Saudi Arabia.
Phil Malem
CEO of Serco Middle East

Hana Abu Kharmeh, human resources director at Serco Middle East and head of the graduate program, said: “We’re proud that we are able to onboard more young talent from Saudi and support the next cohort of aspiring graduates. We’re looking forward to helping provide the thorough training, support and guidance that graduates require to enable them to flourish and accelerate in their careers. Those with a passion for business are encouraged to get involved in this year’s program and potentially be a part of a forward-thinking international business, for themselves and for the future of their country.”
Phil Malem, CEO of Serco Middle East, said: “We recognize the importance of investing in our future leaders and ensuring they have the best start in their careers. Working toward our nationalization goals and supporting the promising talent in the industry is a priority for the business, so we’re delighted that the success of this program to date has enabled us to bring it back for another year and welcome another round of candidates into our Serco Middle East office in Saudi.”
Graduates will be supported by their placement managers who are responsible for guiding their performance, helping them build critical relationships, facilitating opportunities to apply both learning and insights and nurturing their growth and development throughout the two years. In 2020, Serco won the “Skills Development Program of the Year” award at the Big Project Awards, recognizing the company’s investment in local talent and the successful launch of their inaugural graduate program.


25,000 attend Social Development Bank’s DeveGO25 forum

Updated 27 December 2025
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25,000 attend Social Development Bank’s DeveGO25 forum

The Social Development Bank concluded the second edition of the Entrepreneurship and Modern Business Practices Forum — DeveGo 2025 — announcing the achievement of high-impact outcomes that further reinforced the forum’s position as the largest national platform in the region dedicated to entrepreneurship, innovation, and freelance work in Saudi Arabia and beyond. 

The forum witnessed broad participation from local and international experts, investors, entrepreneurs, and representatives of local, regional, and international institutions.

Over three days at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, the forum drew 25,000 participants and visitors, who benefited from over 45 specialized workshops and over 2500 advisory sessions delivered by more than 70 consultants and experts. 

The sessions covered key areas including entrepreneurial planning, business models, venture capital, digital platforms, freelancing, and emerging technologies. 

The forum also featured 20 panel discussions with leading local and international speakers, addressing major global trends in entrepreneurship, including the future of artificial intelligence, the creative economy, digital transformation, and venture investment. 

The forum saw the launch of the Saudi Empretec Fellowship, in the presence of Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the UN Conference on Trade and Development. 

The partners in success within the Social Responsibility Portfolio supporting entrepreneurs were honored. 

It also saw the honoring of 13 winners of the Handicrafts Competition, representing various regions of the Kingdom, the announcement of winners of the Salam Award for Promising Projects, and the recognition of leading entrepreneurial projects fund under the Enterprises Track. 

In addition, the NEXT UP Challenge concluded on the third day of the forum with 20 startups presenting their projects to more than 500 investors, enhancing opportunities for networking and partnership building.

As part of efforts to strengthen the support ecosystem, the forum witnessed the signing of 51 agreements, along with the launch of a suite of new financing products. These included the Capital Expansion Product with a ceiling of up to SR10 million, the Payroll Product with a ceiling of SR2 million, and the Rental Product with a ceiling of SR1.5 million, aimed at supporting enterprises in asset development and covering operational costs. 

This reflects the bank’s direction toward offering more specialized financing tools that respond effectively to market needs.

The forum concluded by reaffirming its role as a unifying national platform for entrepreneurship, where accompanying activities and events provided direct engagement opportunities between entrepreneurs, investors, and experts. 

The forum also highlighted success stories and practical experiences that reflect the scale of entrepreneurial momentum in the Kingdom and the growing role of the Social Development Bank in supporting a national economy driven by innovation and knowledge.