79% prefer candidates with documented generative AI skills over their more experienced counterparts without such skills.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Coursera, the world’s leading online education platform, revealed in its new “Mini-Certificate Impact 2026” report that skills-based hiring is rapidly becoming a new standard in Saudi Arabia. The report indicates that 99% of employers use this approach in some form when recruiting talent for entry-level roles, while 86% apply it extensively. Amidst the technological and economic shifts reshaping the job market, the report highlights that generative AI certifications have become a key differentiating factor in the Kingdom, influencing both student trends and employer preferences.

The report surveyed over 3,500 learners, employers, and higher education leaders, revealing that nearly 8 out of 10 (79%) of employers in Saudi Arabia prefer a candidate with documented generative AI skills over a more experienced candidate without them—a figure higher than the global average of 60%. This trend is also reflected in the growing interest among students in the Kingdom in acquiring generative AI skills, with 82% reporting a greater willingness to enroll in programs offering micro-certificates in this field, compared to 62% globally.

In this context, Qais Al-Zuraibi, Managing Director of Coursera in the Middle East and Africa, said: “The shift towards a skills-based workforce is a key pillar for achieving the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030, and this report demonstrates the accelerating pace of this transformation. As artificial intelligence is increasingly integrated into the workplace, micro-certificates help learners build job-relevant skills and demonstrate their readiness for future roles. These certificates also provide employers with a reliable indicator of skill mastery and job readiness. This underscores the importance of higher education institutions integrating micro-certificates into their academic programs as part of a broader strategy to improve graduate employability and enhance workforce competitiveness.”

The growing demand for micro-certificates in generative artificial intelligence (AI), and their tangible impact, reflects the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to promote the adoption of AI applications and develop digital skills. A 2025 study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) showed that AI use has become commonplace in the Saudi workplace, with 36% of employees using it weekly or daily, exceeding the global average of 32%. This increasing adoption is driving the Kingdom's young, digitally savvy workforce to develop and validate their AI skills through accredited qualifications, thus supporting their professional growth.

Employers in Saudi Arabia reported clear benefits from micro-certifications, with 92% saying that new employees with these certifications perform better in their first year, compared to 63% of employers globally. Employers also saw financial value in this, with 72% expecting to save more than 20% on training costs for these employees. Reflecting this level of confidence, 98% said they would be willing to offer higher starting salaries to graduates with these certifications.

For learners, micro-certificates that count towards academic credit hours add significant value to their academic and professional journeys. In Saudi Arabia, students are 5.3 times more likely to pursue micro-certificates when they count towards their credit hours (80%) compared to those that do not (15%). This focus on academically recognized learning translates into tangible career outcomes, with 85% of Saudi graduates with micro-certificates securing employment in their field of study within 12 months.

These findings highlight a significant opportunity for Saudi universities to integrate accredited micro-degrees aligned with labor market demands into their academic programs, thereby enhancing graduate employability and aligning curricula with evolving market needs. Notably, 48% of higher education leaders in the Kingdom believe that institutions failing to integrate these degrees face moderate to high strategic risks.

Globally, the report noted a widespread shift towards adopting microcertifications, as organizations and employers increasingly recognize their value across the career path of talent, from early recruitment and workforce performance evaluation to career development and job flexibility.

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