Deloitte KSA Skills Academy: Building the next generation of capabilities
Starting a career is exciting but it can also feel overwhelming. Many graduates enter the workplace eager to contribute but uncertain how to apply their academic knowledge in practice. The KSA Skills Academy was established to bridge this gap, equipping young professionals with the guidance, structure, and confidence they need to excel.
From day one, the Academy equips new joiners and interns with essential training, enabling them to engage in client work and deliver impact immediately. At Deloitte Middle East, our people are central to our quality agenda, and investing in their growth and capabilities remains a top priority in transforming the Audit & Assurance business.
Waves of impact
Participants undergo an intensive 8-week program within the Academy, running year-round with a summer break. Each office assigns a Team Leader and Assistant Team Leader to oversee training and work for four months.
Since launching in February 2021, the Academy has successfully completed nine waves, welcoming 220 team members who contributed 46,000 chargeable hours to clients and audit teams. Beyond client work, participants receive extensive training, fostering a dynamic, learning culture that kickstarts their careers at Deloitte Middle East.
This initiative has transformed the perception and role of interns, positioning them as valuable assets with significant potential. Many Skills Academy alumni have progressed rapidly through the firm, supported by their commitment to quality and extensive hands-on experience.
The most recent wave, led by a female Team Leader, delivered an impressive 9,100 chargeable hours—nearly doubling the output of previous waves. These results underscore the program’s expanding scale and its commitment to gender balance, with female representation consistently at or above 50% in every wave.
Experiences that shape careers
Omar Al Otaibi, a Team Leader in the program, shared:
"Starting my auditing career, I sought guidance on how to develop my skills properly but lacked such a structured programme. The Skills Academy refines and develops trainees’ professional skills and discipline, addresses weaknesses, fosters enthusiasm, encourages teamwork, and promotes a spirit of cooperation. Moreover, having a manager review trainees’ work before submission ensures the audit team delivers the highest quality output."
Bashayr Almutairi began as a team member and is now an experienced associate:
"Joining Deloitte’s Skills Academy in 2021 was transformative. It sharpened my technical expertise, strengthened my teamwork, and boosted my confidence in tackling complex audit challenges. The program enabled me to integrate smoothly into teams, develop specialized skills in critical audit areas, and embrace leadership roles by mentoring junior staff and interns to deliver high-quality outcomes. The mentorship I received was invaluable, equipping me with the confidence and insight to excel. Looking ahead, I am committed to becoming a leader at Deloitte Saudi Arabia, fostering mentorship and continuous growth."
Empowering future-ready professionals
The Skills Academy goes beyond teaching; it empowers trainees by entrusting them with responsibility, supporting them through mentorship, and encouraging collaboration within real teams. This approach cultivates a culture of accountability, cooperation, and continuous learning, while maintaining the of highest standards. The initiative is building a robust pipeline of skilled, confident, and motivated professionals ready to meet future challenges and contribute meaningfully to Saudi Arabia’s vision.
