JEDDAH, 5 November 2003 — The government has allocated SR3.7 billion for the training of more than 100,000 young Saudis as part of efforts to intensify the Saudization drive and slash the growing unemployment rate.
The decision was taken on Monday at a meeting in Riyadh chaired by Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard.
The meeting announced plans to establish 20 technical colleges capable of accommodating 60,000 trainees and 39 technical training institutes designed for 40,000 students, a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency said.
The decision was taken in light of recommendations by a special panel headed by Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation. The panel included senior officials including Dr. Ali ibn Nasser Al-Ghafees, governor of the General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training (GOTEVOT).
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Al-Ghafees said allocations would be made in GOTEVOT’s budget to establish 20 technical colleges at a total cost of SR1.9 billion and 39 technical training institutes at a cost of SR1.54 billion.
“The crown prince also pressed for the start of a military training program in cooperation with the National Guard, the Defense Ministry and Interior Ministry,” the governor said, adding that SR270 million has been allocated for the program.
The crown prince took the initiative after learning about young Saudis who were unable to find either a place in further education or suitable jobs in the private and public sectors.
Prince Miteb ibn Abdullah, assistant deputy commander of the National Guard for military affairs, said young Saudis would be trained in a military capacity at the three organizations in cooperation with GOTEVOT.
“Special courses will be held for these young people to meet military requirements in various parts of the country,” the prince said in a previous statement. Vocational training centers as well as military schools and institutes will be used for the purpose.
The military will admit 10,000 trainees annually. The first three months will be allotted for basic military training during which the skills of the trainees would be examined to identify professions suitable for them.
“Technical training will be given in the last nine months... and the trainees will be given professional certificates,” Al-Ghafees said. Part of these trainees will be employed in the military sectors, while secondary certificate holders among them will be allowed to join technical colleges.
“The remaining trainees will be sent to work in the private sector,” the governor said. He estimated the total amount set aside for the youth training program at SR3.713 billion.
The unemployment rate in the Kingdom has been estimated at some 10 percent, but unofficial figures put the rate among Saudi men at about 15 percent.
To provide more jobs for Saudis, Crown Prince Abdullah had earlier banned foreigners from driving taxis.
He ordered the Interior Ministry to adopt “whatever procedures and penalties are needed to implement the decision,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
