Strategic Gears inks exclusive partnership with FutureLearn to drive Saudi upskilling

FutureLearn, a global provider of online courses and degrees, has entered into an exclusive partnership with Strategic Gears, which becomes the company’s sole partner in Saudi Arabia across the private, public, and non-profit sectors.

Headquartered out of the United Kingdom, FutureLearn delivers online courses from world leading universities and academic institutions through a 100% online model. The platform offers over 400 courses across a wide range of domains such as business, technology, languages, engineering, maths, project management, and much more – enabling learners to gain new skills and empower themselves to pursue new career paths.

Through the partnership with Strategic Gears, a leading management consulting firm headquartered in Saudi Arabia, organisations in the Kingdom will gain access to FutureLearn’s curriculum and platform. The partnership is led by Strategic Gears Academy, the training arm of the consultancy.

In a statement, FutureLearn said that the collaboration marks a significant step in bringing its learning experiences to learners and institutions in Saudi, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals for workforce development and lifelong learning.

Jo Johnson, Executive Chairman of FutureLearn, commented: “Our new partnership with Strategic Gears reinforces our commitment to transforming access to learning. Based on a mutual understanding of the power of learning, this strategic collaboration marks a crucial first step towards a future where all businesses in Saudi Arabia are able to build engaged, productive, and highly skilled workforces.”

“Through access to high-quality education and expert recommendations, we aim to revolutionise learning and development for all organisations in Saudi Arabia, giving them the tools they need to meet changing skill needs.”

The agreement was formally celebrated in Riyadh on April 17, in the presence of Leadership from both organisations and renowned guests.

Complementing strategic advisory with capability building

Nasser Alqahtani, Managing Partner of Strategic Gears, commented: “Working closely with clients across sectors, we see a clear and urgent challenge emerging: the rapid shift in required human capabilities. It’s becoming one of the defining obstacles – and opportunities – of our time. Our partnership with FutureLearn enables us to deliver world-class education that goes beyond access. It fosters a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.”

Alqahtani said that the partnership will extend Strategic Gears’s offerings from strategic advisory and implementation support to capability building. “With FutureLearn’s platform, we are expanding our service offering with the tools and resources that help our clients learn and truly embrace new ways of working. This will help them stay equipped, future-ready, and aligned with their most ambitious goals.”

Pablo Delgado, Principal Director of the Strategic Gears Academy, added: “Our Academy is dedicated to providing a superior learning experience that empowers professionals to reach their full potential. Our collaboration with FutureLearn allows us to offer the world’s best-rated self-paced education offering, in line with the recently launched Saudi Skills Framework.”

“Together, we are committed to delivering an engaging and impactful learning journey, leveraging innovative pedagogical approaches and cutting-edge technology, content, and learning experience. Our goal is to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to excel in their careers and contribute to a brighter future for our region.”