ALEC Engineering and Contracting LLC (ALEC), a prominent player in the regional construction industry, has introduced its AHLAN programme to foster the development of Saudi nationals within the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding construction sector.
This initiative aims to provide Saudi professionals with the skills, knowledge, and support necessary to thrive in the booming industry, which analysts expect to grow at an Average Annual Growth Rate (AAGR) of 5.2% from 2025 to 2028.
The AHLAN programme, which spans 30 days, is designed to accelerate the onboarding process for Saudi recruits by offering tailored business and technical training, mentorship sessions, and daily one-on-one interactions with managers. The goal is to equip new hires with the expertise required for their roles while giving them a holistic understanding of the business operations. ALEC’s world-class Learning & Development (L&D) department will conduct workshops and mentoring, ensuring participants are ready to make an immediate impact.
“Saudi Arabia is presently one of the most exciting construction markets in the world. Projects like Qiddiya, Misk, Diriyah Gate, Sindalah, and the ongoing advancement of urban infrastructure in thriving metropolitan hubs like Riyadh are setting new global benchmarks,” said Barry Lewis, CEO at ALEC. “As a key growth market for ALEC, and as a leader in the construction field, we believe that it is incumbent on us to grow local talent and empower Saudi nationals to become valuable contributors to the sector.”
Supporting Saudi Vision 2030 and National Initiatives
The launch of the AHLAN programme underscores ALEC’s commitment to supporting Saudi Vision 2030 and the Nitaqat initiative as it continues to expand its operations across the Kingdom. This follows the company’s 2023 launch of a cadet programme, which focused on early-stage recruitment and training of Saudi talent through partnerships with local educational institutions.
Gavin Stone, Group Director – People & Culture at ALEC, emphasised the importance of the AHLAN initiative: “AHLAN is the latest in a long line of successful career enrichment and leadership programmes that ALEC has implemented. This programme enables us to attract top Saudi talent to the flourishing construction sector and will give them the dedicated support needed to rapidly ramp up their skills and knowledge. I have no doubt that with this, these professionals will be set to make invaluable contributions to the construction industry, both within the Kingdom and beyond its borders.”
ALEC’s AHLAN programme is seen as a strategic effort to support the Saudisation initiative by providing a platform for Saudi nationals to develop meaningful careers in the construction industry. Clare Verrall, ALEC’s Learning and Development Business Partner, highlighted the company’s commitment: “In the true spirit of the Saudisation initiative, we are seeking to support citizens in establishing meaningful careers in the construction sector. It is an industry that offers diverse and rewarding career journeys – from administration and management positions in offices to engineering and supervision roles on-site. At ALEC, we are committed to accelerating the career progression of Saudi nationals.”
With a focus on creating opportunities for local professionals, ALEC aims for the AHLAN programme to become a model for other companies seeking to contribute to the Kingdom’s vision for growth. By equipping Saudi nationals with the skills to excel in the industry, the programme supports a sustainable and dynamic future for Saudi Arabia’s construction sector.
