DAMMAM, 26 August 2003 — Saudi Arabia has decided to Saudize jobs at the grassroots level, and as a result the Technical Institute for Vocational Training in Dammam has added two more professions previously monopolized by expatriates to its programs.
Soon there will be Saudi barbers and Saudi tailors. In the Eastern Province alone there are nearly 1,800 barber shops manned exclusively by expatriates, mainly Indians, Pakistanis and Turks.
According to Abdul Mohsen Al-Daleeli, coordinator, his institute has chalked out a program under which several professions will be added in its training programs in phases.
“The professions are dominated by expatriates,” he said adding, “We have to work on two levels. First we have to generate an awareness among young Saudis that no profession is small or menial.”
Then the institute will provide a complete training course in hairstyling and tailoring.
