JEDDAH, 29 October 2007 — In coordination with Ipsos, a leading research and consultations company, Abdul Latif Jameel Community Services Programs recently conducted a study on labor market needs in Jeddah. The study covered more than 100 companies and establishments of different sizes with the number of employees ranging from two to 500.
Dr. Saad Al-Ghamdi, deputy chairman of ALJ Programs, said the study was undertaken to help ALJ Programs design its training programs to suit the job market requirements.
Al-Ghamdi said that the study would be published and distributed to concerned governmental authorities and training organizations to help them focus on the needs of the local labor market. He added that the study would also be conducted in other areas of the Kingdom to reveal the exact needs of the labor market and to help design an appropriate program.
Companies covered by the study were established more than 10 years ago.
The study revealed that most companies seek to recruit young males in fields relating to sales, marketing, engineering, human resources, production, investment funds, accounts and information technology. On the other hand, women are mostly employed in human resources and finance. Salaries range from SR2,000 to SR5,000.
The study also found that many employers were not satisfied with the performance level of Saudi youths who demand high salaries Seventy percent of companies suffer from huge employee turnover, as youngsters fail to continue in their jobs because of either impatience or a lack of experience. The youths also have a tendency to switch jobs lured by better benefits and incentives.
