JEDDAH, 19 July — Prince Abdullah, the regent, has called for increased private sector participation in the training and rehabilitation of Saudis in order to accelerate all-round progress in the Kingdom.

Prince Abdullah made the appeal in a letter of thanks to leading Saudi businessman Muhammad Abdul Latif Jameel whose business group plans to launch an SR100 million fund for an occupational rehabilitation scheme for Saudi youths from January, 2003.

The fund seeks to provide quality training in various trades and professions with a futuristic agenda so that trainees become fully skilled to cope with the changing demands of the job market for sophisticated technologists and managers.

The fund will also encourage Saudis to join all available fields of employment. It will offer integrated job opportunities ensuring direct recruitment of graduates.

The fund’s training program is divided into four phases. The first phase involves professional training with greater stress on the theoretical aspects of a profession. This phase, lasting three months to a year, enables them to acquire the basic skills of the profession of their choice. Training will be provided at state-of-the-art Saudi or foreign institutes capable of providing integrated training.

The trainees will be continuously evaluated to ensure that they are receiving the kind of training that fulfils the basic goal of the scheme.

After completing the initial phase, they will be put through a practical training program at private establishments for six to 12 months.

In the third phase, they will be absorbed in private establishments which require their specialized skills.

The thrust of this phase will be on advanced technology, covering information technology and mechanical maintenance of medical equipment, laboratories, aircraft and automobiles.

In the final phase, the most talented of the trainees with management and leadership skills will be offered soft loans to start their own businesses.

They will be expected to provide training and employment to other Saudis.

The loans will be interest-free to be repaid in monthly installments within three years. Abdul Latif Jameel Group will be the main source of funds.