The nonprofit institution, which was established by Aramco and other institutions and agencies, provides programs designed to equip Saudi women with technical competencies.
Nouf A. Al Hakbani, center left, and Sahar S. Khobeer (with flowers) accept awards on behalf of the Leading National Academy at the 2022 Middle East People Awards. Aramco established the training institution to equip Saudi women with technical competencies.
The Leading National Academy (LNA) has been recognized by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) as the “Most Impactful Diversity & Inclusion Initiative” at the 2022 Middle East People Awards.
LNA, the Kingdom’s first technical training academy for women, was selected from hundreds of nominations across the MENA region for the prestigious award. The organization was cited as “setting the foundation for women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to embrace various career opportunities.”
LNA is a not-for-profit training institution that provides programs designed to equip Saudi women with technical competencies. Established jointly by Aramco, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, and the Human Resource Development Fund, LNA fulfills a number of critical roles to meet Vision 2030 efforts to empower women and provide equal and diversified employment opportunities.
The winners of this year’s CIPD Middle East People Awards span multiple countries and industries, and include such notable institutions as Standard Chartered Bank, Mobily, ADNOC, and Bupa Arabia. Established in 2019, the awards recognize individuals, teams, and organizations for their commitment to promoting positive work cultures and enabling people to be their best. LNA was shortlisted along with Riyad Bank and Bupa Arabia after a rigorous selection process and interviews with a panel of judges. Previous winners for this award category include EY, FedEx, and WSP.
Recognition through such awards highlight Aramco’s deep commitment to developing Saudi Arabia’s talented female workforce. Through collaboration with its strategic partners, LNA is providing new and diverse pathways for women across the Kingdom. In addition to helping Aramco meet its goal of recruiting local talent, it also enables the company’s suppliers to meet their Saudization and iktva commitments.
By working together, LNA, Aramco, and partners are driving wins for the company and the country.
— The Arabian Sun: December 13, 2022