Cranfield University’s expertise in learning and development is to be drawn on as part of ambitious plans to develop Saudi Arabia’s defence sector.

Experts from Cranfield School of Management will support the Saudi General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) in delivering on its Military Industries Human Capital strategy, which was launched at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in the capital Riyadh earlier this month.

The strategy seeks to develop an ecosystem to localise military industry production and research in the Kingdom, as well as ensure the readiness of qualified human capital, in line with its Vision2030.

Cranfield will work with GAMI to develop and empower this human capital by bridging the gap between the skills required in the sector and the outputs of the Kingdom’s university education, technical and vocational training. This will involve developing educational and training programmes, policy programmes, mentorship and counselling programmes.

Mark Threlfall, Director of Cranfield Executive Development, said: “At Cranfield, our mission is to provide individuals and organisations with the knowledge, skills, tools and resources for the decade ahead. As Europe’s first university to deliver executive development courses in Saudi Arabia, we are delighted to be working together with the Kingdom once more to develop national capabilities in this important area.”