Kuwait has launched a major national workforce development initiative, “Kuwait Skills,” aimed at equipping its citizens with critical skills in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and Microsoft Copilot. The program is a strategic partnership between the Kuwaiti government, represented by the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT), and global technology giant Microsoft.
Aligning With New Kuwait 2035
The initiative is a cornerstone of the nation’s “New Kuwait 2035” strategy, which focuses on transforming the country into a regional financial and trade hub. By developing human capital with future-proof skills, Kuwait aims to build a comprehensive digital ecosystem that enhances public sector performance and drives sustainable, innovation-led economic growth.
Omar Al-Omar, Minister of State for Communications Affairs, stated that the program underscores the government’s commitment to this vision. He emphasized that empowering Kuwaitis with advanced technology skills is central to strengthening the country’s position in the global digital economy and encouraged all government entities to leverage the program.
Building on a New Digital Foundation
The “Kuwait Skills” program builds directly on Microsoft’s announcement earlier this year to establish an AI-enabled Azure cloud region in the country. This dual investment in both digital infrastructure and human talent signals a comprehensive approach to accelerating Kuwait’s national digital transformation agenda and establishing it as a regional technology hub.
Ambitious Training Targets
The scale of the initiative is significant, with clear targets set to measure its impact. According to Charles Nahas, Microsoft’s Regional General Manager for the Middle East, the program aims to train a substantial portion of the nation’s workforce.
The goals include training over 30,000 employees, 4,000 technical professionals, and 350 government leaders in AI and cloud technologies. Furthermore, the initiative will support more than 100,000 users in adopting Copilot tools, facilitated by a newly established Center of Excellence created in partnership with CAIT.
Beyond Skills Training
Nahas highlighted that the partnership extends beyond basic training. Participants will gain access to global education programs, industry-recognized certifications, and defined career development pathways. This holistic approach is designed to accelerate innovation, bolster national cybersecurity capabilities, and drive growth across both the public and private sectors of Kuwait’s digital economy.
The program’s progress will be closely monitored through quarterly reports to track training outcomes and measure advancements in the country’s overall digital capabilities.
About Kuwait Skills
The “Kuwait Skills” program is a national initiative developed by the Kuwaiti government’s Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT) in partnership with Microsoft. It aims to develop the country’s human capital by providing extensive training in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and advanced productivity tools to tens of thousands of citizens, aligning with the “New Kuwait 2035” national vision.
Source: Fast Company Middle East
