The Background
Saudi Arabia’s utility sector is undergoing a profound transformation under Vision 2030, driven by advanced technologies such as Industrial IoT, smart grids, and renewable energy systems. As critical infrastructure providers like Marafiq operate in increasingly complex, high-stakes environments, the need for skilled national talent has become as vital as the technology itself.
Established under a flagship national scholarship initiative, the Wa’ed Track addresses this need by bridging the gap between academic foundations and industry-specific demands. Through elite, globally delivered training, the program equips newly hired Saudi graduates with specialized capabilities in areas such as cybersecurity and IT integration, empowering the next generation of professionals to support high-potential sectors including utilities and mining.
This case study highlights the Marafiq Wa’ed Program, a strategic initiative designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry-specific demands for newly hired Saudi graduates.
The Challenge
Marafiq sought to strengthen the transition of newly hired Saudi graduates from academic environments into high-performing roles within a complex utility ecosystem.
Key improvement areas included:
- Applied Operational Capability: Enhancing graduates’ ability to apply academic knowledge confidently within real-world utility systems and live operational contexts.
- Professional & Enterprise Readiness: Building strong foundations in communication, collaboration, and structured problem-solving aligned with corporate and stakeholder expectations.
- Specialised Industry Exposure: Expanding hands-on familiarity with utility-relevant tools, technologies, and frameworks, including cybersecurity standards, engineering platforms, and enterprise systems.
The Solution
To address these objectives, Kaplan delivered a comprehensive three-month immersive training program in Manchester, UK. The program focused on two key tracks: Engineering and IT & Cybersecurity. A cornerstone of the program was the Action Learning Project (ALP), a capstone initiative in which trainees identified and solved real-world operational challenges within Marafiq’s operations. Mentorship and senior management engagement ensured trainee outcomes were closely aligned with Marafiq’s strategic goals. Participants were assessed weekly across multiple dimensions, including communication, learning attitude, teamwork, technical competence, and attendance, fostering a disciplined and outcome-focused learning environment.
The Action Learning Project (ALP)
The hallmark of the Marafiq Wa’ed Program was the Capstone Project. This required each graduate to function as an internal consultant for Marafiq.
The Framework
Graduates were tasked with identifying a real-world operational challenge within their specific department at Marafiq. The project was designed to move beyond theory and deliver a documented business case in PowerPoint and PDF formats.
By the end of the 3-month program in Manchester, Marafiq gained a cohort of job-ready professionals. These graduates returned to the Kingdom with a global perspective, a network of UK-based mentors, and a portfolio of ready-to-implement projects aligned with Vision 2030.
The Impact:
The program achieved strong participant satisfaction, with 87.8% overall course feedback, 92.8% rating trainer effectiveness, and 94.36% approving the training materials, reflecting its quality and relevance.
Graduates returned operationally ready, applying skills in areas such as cybersecurity controls, cloud security, and system integration. Capstone projects delivered actionable solutions aligned with Marafiq’s priorities.
International exposure further strengthened professional maturity, discipline, and performance standards, aligning with Vision 2030’s Human Capability Development objectives. Together, these outcomes demonstrate the program’s lasting impact on both participants and the organisation.