Businesses in the Middle East have started their digital transition in the past year, and while work from home is a mainstream trend now, hiring has also gone online. Competition in the job market has further encouraged professionals to turn towards e-learning for courses that help them sharpen existing skills and learn new ones.

Platforms have also been launched to facilitate freelancers, and also to connect young talent with mentors according to their field of work as well as experience. But to assist companies while picking the right candidate from a growing number of aspirants in the Middle East, a Saudi-based startup is making sure candidates lying on their applications are flagged.

The company IR4LAB uses its DocCerts tech to verify claims made by people about their qualifications as well as capabilities, by spotting dubious documents. It now eyes an expansion and further strengthening of the tech, thanks to funding from Saudi's state-backed oil major Aramco.

Services offered by the blockchain provider can significantly speed up the hiring process, by providing a higher level of confidence to the company. This tech is a crucial tool especially when the kingdom's council of engineers has received almost 2800 fraudulent applications from candidates based out of the country.

A booming tech infrastructure in the gulf has attracted a large number of expats to countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Digital nomads working for firms elsewhere or as freelancers, are also preferring the Emirates due to perks like remote working visas and high-speed connectivity.

The kingdom's neighbour is also upgrading apps meant for blue collar workers, for providing courses in language and management of finances to migrant employees in the UAE.

Apart from verification of fake certificates, companies in the region are also using blockchain for the creation of smart contracts, that provide higher security for online dealings.