SR2bn projects boost vocational training

RIYADH: The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) plans to launch SR2 billion worth of projects including a civil aviation academy in Jeddah in 2012. “TVTC projects include the establishment of institutes for training especially in strategically significant fields such as an academy for civil aviation in Jeddah, completion of an institute of aircraft maintenance in Riyadh and an institute for petroleum technologies in Al-Khafji in the Eastern Province,” TVTC Gov. Ali Al-Ghafis said in a statement on Saturday.

The projects also include higher technical institutes for women in all provinces.

Al-Ghafis added while the new projects being studied and designed are worth more than SR1 billion, projects that still need contractors are worth SR478 million and projects being launched are worth SR771 million. He said the new projects would accommodate the growing number of youths interested in advanced technologies, while currently TVTC can provide seats to only 28 percent of applicants.

“The new projects will be distributed in such a way that all parts of the Kingdom get opportunities for human resources development,” the TVTC chief said. He added that experienced engineering firms would help the TVTC in designing the new projects in line with international standards including safety and quality.

Last year the corporation launched 22 projects in different parts of the Kingdom. The projects included women’s technology institutes in Taif, Baha, Riyadh, Qunfuda, Abha and Mahayil Aseer.

The TVTC has been playing a significant role in helping Saudi youths including women become capable of undertaking technically advanced jobs.

It has also been cooperating with the Labor Ministry and the Human Resources Development Fund in implementing Saudization programs.

It has also formed strategic partnerships with the industrial and service sectors.

It is a corporate public entity with financial and administrative independence.

Its headquarters are in Riyadh with branches in different provinces. It aims to develop national human resources through training to meet the requirements of the Saudi labor market.