Human resource development through vocational education in gulf cooperation countries: The case of saudi arabia

After a third of a century of extensive investment in vocational education in less developed countries, return on investment has been disappointing and the future of vocational education seems uncertain. Yet, in Gulf Cooperation Countries, vocational education is emerging as the cornerstone of the national human resource development strategy. This article examines the key factors inhibiting the effectiveness of vocational education in Saudi Arabia and takes colleges of technology as a case study. Evidence generated from the research leads to the conclusion that social values and labour market distortion are the main impediments which could severely hamper Saudi Arabia’s human resource development strategy.