Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Global workforce skills educator The Fullbridge Program announced on Monday it has signed a long-term partnership agreement with Prince Sultan University (PSU) to develop and conduct effective educational training programs to prepare Saudi students for successful and productive integration into the workplace. With the support of a graduate of the organization Prince Abdullah Bin Khaled Bin Sultan, Fullbridge co-founder Peter Olson worked closely with PSU President Dr. Ahmed Yamani to establish the co-branded "Fullbridge PSU Programs” to enhance the way undergraduates and recent graduates in Saudi Arabia are prepared for productive and successful careers. “We are thrilled to have been selected by PSU as their partner of choice to provide high-quality, scalable educational training programs for its students,” said Olson. “Partnering with such an esteemed university such as PSU will enable us to continue creating effective, content-rich programs that bridge the workplace skills gap, consistent with our collaboration of mutual trust and shared learning. “The rapid increase in the Saudi population and the subsequent demand for highly qualified university graduates emphasizes the necessity for practical training programs to prepare graduates for the workplace. “We believe strongly that by working together, Fullbridge and PSU can make significant progress on one of the foremost challenges Saudi Arabia faces.” The deal reflects Prince Abdullah's resolute commitment to enhancing Saudi Arabia's educational services sector and strengthening the domestic labor market. Upon learning of the signed agreement, Prince Abdullah said: “When I graduated from the Fullbridge Program, I immediately recognized their blended learning classes' potential to develop the professional skills of Saudi citizens. “While our work in this sector has just begun, I look forward to working with Peter and introducing this valuable program to others throughout the Kingdom.” Since 2013, Fullbridge has been successfully running its flagship workplace skills program at PSU. To date, Fullbridge has conducted five programs for PSU to train 240 male and female students. The ongoing initiative has been helping to bridge the gap between the current levels of skills, motivation and clarity of career direction among students and recent graduates and the demands of Saudi employers in the 21st century workplace. The Fullbridge/PSU partnership will further expand the offerings and coincide with PSU's planned curricula and infrastructure expansion. An international leader in delivering the real-world experience, skills and professional traits students need to successfully transition from the classroom to rewarding careers, the Fullbridge Program has educated over 6,000 students worldwide with its programs in the US, Shanghai and Saudi Arabia. A recent survey of former Fullbridge students found that 90 percent of the organization's alumni were employed and successful in their first jobs coming out of the program. Olson added: “We are grateful for the inspiration and partnership of Dr. Yamani and the steadfast support of Prince Abdullah, and we are committed to a long, rewarding partnership to ensure that these programs empower and have significant engagement by Saudi interests.”
