BRIDGING THE GAP: ALIGNING ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION IN SAUDI ARABIA WITH LABOUR MARKET DEMANDS AND INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION STANDARDS

An investigation has been made to predict the effects of forebody and afterbody as one of the pivotal initiatives of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030; the human capabilities development program is a beacon of hope, aiming to enhance the skills of citizens and boost global competitiveness. As a critical project under this initiative, the Ministry of Education has been diligently updating educational programs to meet the needs of the global job market. In line with these efforts, this study investigates the alignment of architectural education in Saudi Arabia with labour market demands and international accreditation requirements. Using curricula of fourteen local architectural programs and Junior Jobs required skills and knowledge from International Architectural Firms. The study achieves its objectives through a comprehensive survey of local educational institutes, tabulating their curriculums, and identifying the main topics, categories, and sections of these curriculums. The study then compares the curricula to international accreditation requirements and market-required skills and knowledge. Results highlight gaps, including business practice background knowledge, problem-solving skills, analytical skills, experience with modern construction materials and techniques, and advanced knowledge of computer tools. Finally, specific fields to be enhanced within the curricula to increase the readiness of the graduates were introduced. Moreover, the study recommended cooperation actions between the three directing parties of the education process: professional associations, educational institutions, and accrediting organizations.