Abstract
The definition of academic study is varied and its outcomes are contradictory to conventional university functionality. Advocates of this point of view emphasize more on vocational training and education than higher education since it is believed that the former is more effective in providing learning outcomes as the training is largely based on competencies and skills of the student. The concept of vocational training comes from the need of basic education and the requirement of acquiring knowledge of writing and reading and linking it to the occupation so that it is easy for an adult to learn. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia believes in "education for all" whereby the government intends to provide education to every citizen of suitable age. Under this, the Kingdom has pledged to ensure almost 50 percent enhancements in the level of adult literacy. In order to achieve higher literacy the Kingdom has developed and implemented various educational and vocational training programmes. Keeping in line with this concept this paper will review the training initiatives and examine the effectiveness and coherence of these curriculums and its associated learning outcomes amongst the adult population.