As the principal partner for the event's Future Talent Program for the third consecutive edition, the company is highlighting initiatives to build human capital in Saudi Arabia in line with Saudi Vision 2030. With over 7,000 employees in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 80% of whom are Saudi nationals, BAE Systems has a strong local workforce. The company's female representation has grown significantly to around 400 reflecting efforts to increase diversity and inclusion.
BAE Systems participation in WDS 2026 continues its long-term strategy of empowering Saudi talent. The company employs an integrated talent development model that combines applied education, vocational training, on-the-job experience, and knowledge transfer. This comprehensive approach prepares a generation of Saudi professionals capable of leading the future of Saudi Arabia’s defense industry. By investing in skill-building and capacity development, BAE Systems strengthens local capabilities, supports sector localisation and enhances long-term sustainability.
The Future Talent Program acts as a bridge connecting academic theory with practical experience. The program provides young Saudi nationals with direct exposure to the latest defense technologies, ensuring they possess the skills to work in line with international best practices. As the principal partner, BAE Systems remains fully committed to nurturing this potential to develop the next generation of Saudi engineers, innovators and leaders. By investing in these future experts, a resilient workforce is built, ready to drive the industry forward.
Beyond the WDS show, BAE Systems runs a range of Future Talent initiatives that support young Saudi nationals from school through university and into their early careers. Key initiatives include:
STEM Outreach in Schools: Conducting STEM workshops and school roadshows to inspire students to pursue careers in science and engineering.
Cooperative Training and Apprenticeships: Offering cooperative education placements and apprenticeship programs with local universities, giving students hands-on industry experience during their studies.
Graduate Development Program: Hiring Saudi graduates into a structured program with extensive training, where many alumni progress to leadership roles within the company.
Leadership Training: Investing in continuous learning through leadership development academies, supporting employees as they grow professionally throughout their careers.
Together, these initiatives create a steady pipeline of skilled Saudi nationals prepared to take on key roles in Saudi Arabia’s growing defense sector.
To further bridge the gap between academia and industry, BAE Systems Saudi Arabia has signed a memorandum of understanding with Tabuk University. This partnership focuses on developing future skills and creating clear pathways from education to employment in the defense sector.
In collaboration with the University of Tabuk, BAE Systems is establishing a state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 laboratory to train students in emerging engineering and digital technologies. It will provide hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools and prepare students for high-tech defense and manufacturing careers, building a pipeline of talent with modern technical skills. The agreement was signed by Steve Clutton, Managing Director of BAE Systems Saudi Arabia, and Professor Dr Abdulaziz Salem Saeed Al-Ghamdi, President of the University of Tabuk.
Such partnerships help develop advanced skills locally and create high-value opportunities for Saudi youth, exemplifying a collaborative approach to human capital development that benefits students, universities and the broader defense ecosystem.
Future talent is more than just a programme during World Defense Show. It’s a commitment to people, our business and this great Kingdom to ensure it continues to develop the defense ecosystem and strengthen its sovereign talent capabilities to deliver the operational security requirements today and in the futureSteve Clutton, Managing Director of BAE Systems Saudi Arabia
Our CI initiatives align directly with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals for economic diversification and human capital development. The company's investment in talent goes beyond training, it is building a community investment framework that bolsters the national economy, enhances the defense sector's competitiveness and elevates overall readiness. By empowering Saudi professionals to lead in high-tech and defense fields, these efforts help build a resilient, locally anchored defense ecosystem. BAE Systems reaffirms its role as a long-term partner in Saudi Arabia’s development, ensuring Saudi talent drives the defense industry's transformation for decades to come.