Field Experience of Graduates of Information Science Departments and Labor Market Requirements in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Current Challenges and Development Strategies

Abstract

This study sought to address the central problem of the widening gap between field training programs applied in library and information science departments and the actual needs of the labor market in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The problem of the study is crystallized in the lack of coordination between educational outcomes and the required professional competencies, despite the pivotal role of field training in qualifying students and providing them with the necessary practical skills. The main objective was to develop an integrated training framework that achieves compatibility between academic education and the requirements of professional practice, by diagnosing the current reality, identifying constraints, and proposing viable development strategies. The study adopted the descriptive-analytical approach and the content analysis methodology, based on a critical review of the relevant Arab intellectual production (2016-2024). The study resulted in the identification of six main categories of challenges: inadequacy in planning and organization, limited time frame, weak technical infrastructure, inadequacy of professional supervision and guidance, inconsistency of training content, and weak institutional integration. The study presented a codified training plan that includes 192 training hours spread over two semesters, with a precise definition of responsibilities, a comprehensive classification of target skills, and a systematic evaluation mechanism based on the four-level Kirkpatrick model. The study represents a scientific contribution to the field training literature in the field of library and information science, and provides an applied tool for academic departments to bridge the gap between theoretical education and professional practice.