We have to be realistic as there are many government institutions full of people dressed in traditional white Saudi thobes, something that reflects the strong presence of Saudis. The private sector, on the other hand, is full of people of other nationalities; Saudis only exist on paper, a concept that is known as fake Saudization. The private sector is the most important sector in creating job opportunities and reducing the rate of unemployment among Saudis. I am not going to waste time in talking about fake Saudization in this article.

In my opinion, the root cause of Saudization’s failure, especially in the private sector, lies in us enacting laws at a time when we should have thought of forming a new culture emphasizing the value of work. We have been left surprised that Saudi youth have dealt with work as if it is entertainment.

Companies and institutions deal with young Saudis as a form of burden that they need to get rid of, even if this means paying salaries just to show they employ Saudis. The fundamental problem is that we have not made efforts to develop a culture of work among young Saudis. We thought that slogans such as “Work is not shameful” would change attitudes.

Changing  attitudes and building a positive work culture is a complex process. There are many things that need to be done by multiple parties, including families, schools, universities, the media and official bodies. All these groups need to work together to change attitudes and develop the desired culture.

Universities, for example, can contribute positively in building a culture of work. Universities and colleges should provide all study materials to develop a positive culture of work among young Saudis.

Conferences and seminars should be held to promote this culture. It is possible to expand the implementation of a practical training system that puts students in the work environment and trains them on how to deal with work pressure.

It is also possible to expand the role of universities by hosting young model Saudis who have realized the value of work. It is also possible to host entrepreneurs who started from scratch and became successful through hard work and commitment. What is required is a group of elites to lead this initiative. The goal is clear — we need to build and promote a culture of work ethics among young Saudis.

Young Saudis must realize the value of work and believe in it. They must understand what it means to be self-reliant. They should be aware that difficulties of working and dealing with others in the work environment will always exist. They should learn that such obstacles can be handled and converted into opportunities to achieve excellence. Young Saudis must believe in the value of knowledge and expertise. It is imperative they set goals that are in line with their abilities.

Young Saudis must be aware of the value of excellence in work and know how to achieve it. All involved parties should contribute to the implementation of those values among young Saudis and urge them to adhere to them.

This subject is of extreme importance because it is linked to this country’s present and future. We must admit that there is a clear defect in culture and behavior. We must realize that there is a future generation of Saudis who need to be guided, and if they are not then they will be a burden on others.