JEDDAH, 8 May 2004 — More than 1,800 young Saudis are expected to find jobs during the sixth job fair organized by the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).

That is almost twice as many as at the last fair a month ago, when 907 Saudis found employment in the private sector, according to Adnan H. Mandourah of the JCCI’s manpower development center.

The job fair is held twice a year. According to Mandourah the number of jobs found has doubled every time the fair is held. He attributes this in part to the training provided by the JCCI to the applicants to prepare them for the job market.

The Kingdom spends more than SR1.5 billion annually on the training of Saudis in order to prepare them for work in the private sector with its specific requirements.

The Kingdom wants to focus more on the development of manpower through training geared to market needs. “The market requires able and capable manpower. Just one of the two is not enough,” he said. “Our training provides them with skills, knowledge and helps change their attitude.”

The center conducts programs in coordination with the National Organization for Co-operative Training.

Mandourah said the private sector was cooperating by creating employment opportunities for the national cadres.

He said he noticed a favorable change in the attitude of young Saudis. “They are coming forward to participate in the program and are now ready to work in any position in any area,” he said. “No way they can be managers immediately.”

The center invites experts from training institutes to address human resource managers, personnel managers, and general managers of private companies on such topics as selecting employees, teaching and on the job training.

Farouk Osman Gabbani, a training consultant, addressed one such meeting at the chamber Thursday, which was attended by nearly 100 companies, a majority of which had hired Saudis during the last intake.

He said that before being selected Saudis go through intensive tests, interviews, and competency based tests.

Asked what advice he would give to young Saudis, Mandourah said they should be well prepared, know their job, and have a positive attitude. “Be a pioneer, creative, not afraid of challenges; private companies are looking for personnel who are bold, and can make a difference,” he added.