Niagara College and Colleges of Excellence sign agreement to extend NC KSA operations for 10 years

Niagara College and Colleges of Excellence (CoE) have signed a strategic agreement to strengthen cooperation in technical and vocational education and training in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The agreement extends Niagara College’s campus operations in Saudi Arabia, through Niagara College KSA, for the next 10 years.

The agreement was signed in July 2026 during Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s state visit to the Kingdom, at the Canada–Saudi Arabia Business and Investment Forum in Jeddah, in the presence of Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan and Minister of Investment Fahad bin Abduljalil Al-Saif.

Training built around the needs of employers

The agreement focuses on developing and operating specialized training facilities in the Kingdom and delivering programs driven by the needs of industrial sectors and employers. It aims to:

• Enhance the readiness of national talent and create sustainable employment pathways in priority economic sectors.
• Strengthen employer involvement in designing and delivering training programs.
• Support workforce development initiatives.
• Facilitate the exchange of expertise and international best practices.
• Expand access to high-quality, internationally recognized technical and vocational education and training.

A partnership with a proven record

Since 2014, Niagara College has trained more than 12,000 learners through its partnership with Colleges of Excellence, including 7,000 female students, and it operates the Kingdom’s only technical academy for women.

“Through NC KSA, we will continue to work with our partner, Colleges of Excellence, to support sustainable pathways to employment for Saudi learners, as the country seeks to diversify its economy, society and culture through its Saudi Vision 2030 strategy,” said Sean Coote, Vice President, Partnerships and Enterprises at Niagara College.

Details of the extension are being finalized, and NC KSA will share updates on new programs and opportunities as they become available.

Sources: Riyadh Daily; Inside NC, Niagara College Canada. Photo: Saudi Press Agency (SPA).