Experts to Okaz: Third Edition Transforms Certificate into Measurable Competence

National Qualifications Framework: Saudi Gateway to Future Skills

July 6, 2026 - 01:07 | Last updated July 6, 2026 - 01:07

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Mutaib Al-Awad (Hail)

The Education and Training Evaluation Commission has launched the third edition of the National Qualifications Framework, as the national reference for organizing, designing, and developing educational and training qualifications in the Kingdom. The step aims to increase the flexibility of the qualification system and enhance the competitiveness of Saudi human capital locally and globally.

The new edition outlines a clearer pathway for the progression of qualifications, starting from level zero as an entry point, up to level eight, which includes a doctorate or equivalent, specifying the depth, breadth, and complexity of learning outcomes at each stage.

It also includes strategic transformations encompassing support for lifelong learning, enhancing flexibility and competitiveness, developing future skills, and consolidating national identity and values in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The edition highlights the inclusion of professional qualifications, short program certificates, and professional certifications, in addition to providing more flexible pathways, such as direct doctorate after bachelor's under regulations, clarifying the mechanism for calculating credit hours, and increasing the alignment of the Saudi framework with international qualification frameworks. It also opens the door to incorporating skills in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital, social, and emotional skills within qualification pathways.

Dr. Walid Al-Ghasab, professor of finance and governance, said that the National Qualifications Framework represents a governance tool for the labor market, as it links education and training to employment based on skills and learning outcomes, moving away from merely relying on the certificate name. He noted that the clarity of qualification levels improves employment efficiency and reduces the alignment gap between educational outputs and the needs of economic sectors.

For his part, Dr. Thamer Al-Shammari, an expert in pharmacoepidemiology, pharmacoeconomics, patient safety, and drug safety, affirmed that the health and scientific sectors will be among the most benefiting, because the quality of practitioners is linked to updating knowledge, the accuracy of the qualification, and measuring the impact of training on performance. He added that the inclusion of digital skills and artificial intelligence enhances the readiness of Saudi competencies for modern healthcare, data analysis, and patient safety.

The third edition reinforces the labor market's transition from relying solely on academic titles to measuring competence, and building continuous learning pathways that grant Saudis higher competitiveness and provide educational, training, and employment entities with a unified language for understanding, developing, and recognizing qualifications. Thus, the framework becomes a standard platform that connects students, trainees, employees, and employers with a unified concept of qualifications, providing educational and employment decisions with a clearer basis for fairness, quality, accreditation, and continuous development, in line with a Saudi economy accelerating towards knowledge.

The Education and Training Evaluation Commission has launched the third edition of the National Qualifications Framework, serving as the national reference for organizing, designing, and developing educational and training qualifications in the Kingdom. This step aims to enhance the flexibility of the qualification system and strengthen the competitiveness of Saudi human capital both locally and globally.

The new edition outlines a clearer pathway for the progression of qualifications, starting from the zero level as an entry point, up to the eighth level, which includes a doctorate or its equivalent, while specifying the depth, breadth, and complexity of learning outcomes at each stage.

It also includes strategic transformations that support lifelong learning, enhance flexibility and competitiveness, develop future skills, and reinforce national identity and values in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The edition highlights the inclusion of professional qualifications, short program certificates, and professional certifications, in addition to providing more flexible pathways, including direct access to a doctorate after a bachelor's degree under certain regulations, clarifying the mechanism for calculating credit hours, and increasing the alignment of the Saudi framework with international qualification frameworks. It also opens the door to incorporating skills in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital, social, and emotional skills within qualification pathways.

National Qualifications Framework Education and Training Evaluation Commission