World Learning Saudi Training Company Limited

What World Learning Saudi Training Company Limited does

World Learning is a U.S.-based nonprofit education and exchange organization founded in 1932 and headquartered at 1889 F Street NW, Washington, DC, with an additional office in Brattleboro, Vermont. It operates as a long-standing implementing partner for the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, designing and delivering a portfolio of international exchange, education, and English teacher training programs that serve emerging leaders, students, and teachers from over 60 countries. Its core programs include the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD), the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the Fulbright Specialist Program, the IDEAS Program, the SIT TESOL Certificate, the Online Professional English Network (OPEN) Program, the MEPI Alumni Connection, and the Youth Ambassadors MENA program, among others.

The organization's underlying delivery platform combines in-person international exchanges, virtual and in-person professional development workshops, and self-paced MOOCs. Notable technical components include the 180-hour SIT TESOL Certificate (accredited at Level 5 of the European Qualifications Framework) and domain-specific online courses such as a 25-hour English for Specific Purposes MOOC for mining professionals. Distribution is conducted through a global network of U.S. embassies, Regional English Language Offices, partner universities, and local implementing partners. Since 2016, the organization has served 222,538 participants, trained 30,832 teachers, and strengthened 3,507 institutions.

World Learning's business model is grant-funded, with the U.S. Department of State serving as the dominant revenue source via competitive grant awards. A secondary revenue stream comes from fee-based professional certification programs, notably the SIT TESOL Certificate delivered through licensed training centers. Participants in many of the federal programs participate free of charge, while institutional pricing for TESOL certification is available on inquiry. Leadership is provided by CEO Carol Jenkins and Board Chair Jack Benson, and the organization operates without parent-company ownership or disclosed outside investment.

Name

World Learning Saudi Training Company Limited

Legal name

World Learning, Inc.

Website

https://worldlearningksa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

World Learning is a U.S.-based nonprofit founded in 1932 that delivers international education, exchange, and English teacher training programs for the U.S. Department of State, serving students, teachers, and emerging leaders from over 60 countries across 100+ geographies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education and Training Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Train-the-Trainer & Instructor Enablement Services (BPAEANAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Training Delivery Providers (In-Person, Virtual, Train-the-Trainer) (BPACANAM), Business & Professional Language Training Abroad (EDAIAEAC), Professional & Executive Short Courses (Non-Degree, International) (EDAIAIAH), Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC)

Keywords

• STEAM youth programs
• Teacher training
• Experiential education
• Skills development
• Professional training

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Contracts: World Learning receives funding primarily from the U.S. Department of State and its Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to implement exchange programs, training initiatives, and educational development projects worldwide.
2. Professional Certification Programs: Revenue generated from SIT TESOL Certificate program delivery, including training center licensing and professional development certifications for English language teachers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

World Learning Saudi Training Company Limited delivers STEAM youth programs and teacher training focused on experiential education and skills development in Saudi Arabia. As a local training entity, it implements programs covering English language teacher training (TESOL), youth exchange initiatives, and skills-based experiential learning curricula aligned with the World Learning portfolio.

Product overview

World Learning offers a portfolio of international education and exchange programs administered primarily for the U.S. Department of State. The core programs include the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD), International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), Fulbright Specialist Program, and IDEAS Program, which together form the backbone of American public diplomacy initiatives. English language education is supported through the SIT TESOL Certificate, Online Professional English Network (OPEN) Program, and the Voluntary Accreditation of Learning Unified for English (VALUE) program. Additional programs include youth exchanges (Youth Ambassadors NEA), professional fellowships (MEPI Alumni Connection, Professional Fellows for Governance and Society), and specialized English training (English for Specific Purposes for Uzbekistan's Mining Sector, C5 + O.N.E. Ed). These programs collectively support U.S. foreign policy goals through educational exchanges and professional development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Global UGRAD: Global Undergraduate Exchange Program - brings exceptional undergraduate student leaders from over 60 countries to the United States for one semester of academic study
• IDEAS Program
• International Visitor Leadership Program
• SIT TESOL Certificate
• OPEN Program
• Fulbright Specialist Program

Products and services

• SIT TESOL Certificate World-renowned 180-hour English teaching certificate providing specialized training and skills for teaching English as a second or foreign language. Fully accredited at Level 5 of the European Qualifications Framework and enabling graduates to earn up to 4 credit hours toward a master's degree at SIT. Delivered through licensed training centers online or in-person.
• English for Specific Purposes (ESP) Online Course

Quantifiable outcome

• 222,538 participants and students served since 2016
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Guatemala No Se DetienecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Government-led national campaign funding the VALUE program to establish a national accreditation and certification system for English as a foreign language in Guatemala. Partnership aims to strengthen workforce readiness and expand access to global employment opportunities.
• Universidad del Valle de GuatemalacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner implementing the VALUE program, focused on proposing standards for English language teacher preparation programs at university level and English language learning programs.
• U.S. Embassy in GuatemalacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-funder and supporter of the VALUE program for English language accreditation in Guatemala.
• School for International Training (SIT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner providing the renowned SIT TESOL Certificate program. SIT is a leader in TESOL and English education for more than 50 years. The certificate is accredited by SIT Graduate Institute.
• U.S. Embassy in Dominican RepubliccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of English teacher training program for Dominican Republic teachers, implementing U.S. embassy public diplomacy priorities.
• Teacher Development Center of Universidad Domínico AmericanocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal implementation partner delivering professional development training for English language teachers in Dominican Republic.
• U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funding agency for international exchange and education programs including IDEAS Program, Global UGRAD, IVLP, Fulbright Specialist, and numerous other initiatives administered by World Learning.
• Western Kentucky UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDEAS Program grantee developing international exchange programs connecting American students with Japanese universities and industry partnerships to address workforce needs.
• U.S. Embassy TashkentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunder of English for Specific Purposes program for Uzbekistan's mining sector, supporting critical minerals industry cooperation.
• Navoi State University for Mining and TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner implementing industry-specific English training for mining professionals and students of mining science in Uzbekistan.
• U.S. Embassy in Bishkek, KyrgyzstancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunder of C5 + O.N.E. Ed program creating qualified English language teachers for Central Asian countries.
• Kazakhstan Teachers of English Association (KazTEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner supporting C5 + O.N.E. Ed program delivery across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
• Georgetown UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner contributing 20 teacher trainers to C5 + O.N.E. Ed program alongside World Learning's 200 teachers.
• International FocusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Youth Ambassadors Middle East North Africa program implementing exchange programs with participants from Iraq, Algeria and the United States.
• Gulf Coast DiplomacyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner implementing Youth Ambassadors NEA exchange program focused on entrepreneurship and digital citizenship.
• U.S. Department of State - Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEPI funds alumni connection programs serving more than 3,500 alumni from Student Leaders Program, Tomorrow's Leaders, and Leadership for Development Fellowship across MENA region.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Institute of International Education (IIE): A U.S. Department of State implementing partner administering Fulbright and other exchange programs globally. Closely comparable as a peer nonprofit that delivers TESOL-adjacent English programs, teacher training, and U.S.-bound exchanges under the same federal funding mechanism.
• British Council Saudi Arabia: Operates English language teacher training, student exchanges, and STEAM-adjacent cultural programs in Saudi Arabia. Directly comparable because it combines international English training, teacher credentials, and cross-border exchange programming in the same Saudi market as the subject entity.
• AFS Intercultural Programs: A longstanding international youth exchange and intercultural learning nonprofit with programs in 100+ countries. Comparable because it competes for the same State Department-funded exchange slots and serves a similar emerging-leader/student persona in MENA markets.
• IREX: An international development nonprofit implementing U.S. State Department exchange and education programs (e.g., Fulbright, TEA). Comparable because it operates the same funding mechanism, delivers teacher training, and competes for the same participant pool.

Broad incumbents

• Cambridge Assessment English: Provides globally recognized English teaching certifications (CELTA, DELTA) and teacher training programs. Comparable as a larger incumbent offering competing teacher credentials that Saudi schools and ministries may prefer over the SIT TESOL pathway.
• ETS (Educational Testing Service): Operates TOEFL, TOEIC, and the ETS English for Everyone platform, plus teacher certification pathways. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the English teacher certification and English-language assessment space where the subject entity operates via SIT TESOL.

Others

• KAICIID Dialogue Centre: Intergovernmental organization based in Vienna with MENA programming in teacher capacity building and intercultural dialogue. Comparable thematically as an adjacent education/exchange actor whose Saudi and Gulf region programs overlap with the subject's mission surface.

Emerging players

• Discovery Education: Delivers STEAM-focused digital curriculum and experiential learning content to K-12 schools, with growing international presence. Comparable for the subject's STEAM youth programs because both target experiential STEM pedagogy in school environments.

Regional players

• Alfaisal University STEAM initiatives / Alfanar: Saudi-focused nonprofit ventures investing in education, teacher quality, and youth skills development. Comparable as a Saudi-rooted peer working on experiential learning and teacher capacity building within the Kingdom.
• Qatar Foundation International: Implements education, teacher training, and intercultural exchange programs across the MENA region. Comparable because it works in adjacent Gulf markets, trains teachers, and partners with U.S./Western institutions on STEAM and English programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/GlobalUGRADWL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/worldlearningksa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about World Learning Saudi Training Company Limited