RIYADH, 26 May 2004 — Delegates participating in the last day of the Human Resources Development Forum want an independent body to evaluate the training capabilities of vocational training centers throughout the Kingdom. The forum was inaugurated here on Sunday by Labor Minister Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi.
Delegates said such an independent body should not only identify the capacity and capabilities of the centers but also give useful suggestions to modify their programs to suit local needs.
The final session’s chairman Dr. Mohammed Al-Ghais told Arab News that the recommendations will be reviewed by a special committee and then forwarded to the Minister of Labor.
Dr. Ghais said inevitably the recommendations focused on employment, training, and the role of private and public sectors in Saudization.
The forum agreed that small enterprises should be denied visas to recruit people from abroad so they are forced to tap local human resources. Saudi employers in government and non-governmental organizations should recognize certificates issued by the centers, the said.
A female participant said Saudi women should be given more opportunities for well-paid employment. She pointed out that it was unreasonable for women to earn SR1,500 per month if SR500 disappeared just on daily travel costs.
While stressing the need for closer cooperation between the private and the public sectors, the delegates said vocational training centers should cater to the needs of the private sector.
They recommended that the private sector offer hands-on training to Saudi youth in order to upgrade their skills. University and college graduates should be given planned post-graduate training according to their aptitudes to enable them to fit comfortably into the jobs available.
A call was also made for intensified Saudization in the health sector since a large number of Saudi physiotherapists and paramedics are unemployed.
