RIYADH: Dubai-based retail and leisure giant Majid Al Futtaim has opened its second retail business school in Riyadh to provide training programs for Saudi nationals keen to work in the sector. Inaugurated by Majed Aldahwi, the Kingdoms deputy minister for localization at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and Ahmed Ismail, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Holding, the school will offer courses in retail technical skills, customer experience, leadership development and localization programs. Hani Weiss, CEO at Majid Al Futtaim Retail, told Arab News: “These programs are tailored to encompass various aspects, such as deriving valuable insights from data, adopting a customer-centric approach and upholding the highest international standards. “The upskilling of the Saudi national workforce creates a ripple effect that reverberates widely, positively influencing both the economy and society at large.” The 12 training programs offered by the school — five of them specifically designed for Saudi nationals — would create clear career pathways for students, leading to positions such as store manager or department head, Weiss said. “This state-of-the-art facility features six training rooms and a collaboration area that encourages open discussion and team building,” he added. Majid Al Futtaim, which has operated the Carrefour brand in the region and across Asia and Africa since 1995, said it aimed to upskill more than 2,000 of its workers annually and recruit more than 500 Saudis by next year. “With its collaborative nature, the school will serve as a hub for knowledge sharing, promoting the exchange of best practices within the retail industry,” Weiss said. “By bringing together industry professionals, experts and Carrefour employees, it will facilitate collaboration and the dissemination of valuable insights and strategies.” The company opened its first retail business school in the UAE in 2019.