JEDDAH: Bab Rizq Jameel (BRJ), an initiative of Abdul Latif Jameel Community Services Programs (ALJCSP), created 4,117 job opportunities in July. Job opportunities have been created through different BRJ job-creation programs with support from the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) and the Saudi Credit & Saving Bank.

During July, 204 job opportunities were created by training, a company press release said. Training courses were conducted in the fields of accounting, refrigeration for men, reception skills and other courses specifically designed for companies. For women, job opportunities were created after training in the fields of makeup, first aid and tailoring. In addition, 574 jobs were created through direct employment programs in coordination with, and support from, the HRDF.

The most important jobs offered by companies contracting with ALJCSP were security guards, sales representatives and cashiers. ALJCSP received a huge number of employment applications from several companies, with salaries ranging from SR1,800 to SR3,000. Some of the cooperating companies were Fawaz Abdulaziz Al Hokair, Geant and Al-Aziziah Panda, which offered the greatest number of job opportunities during July.

Based on the microfinance concept, 2,784 women have been financed through productive household programs to help them begin their micro projects, which include handmade products, the preparation of local perfumes or confectioneries.

Also during May, 481 small projects were financed. The average loan was SR50,000 over a 5-year payment period for new and existing projects. Finance for certain projects could be as much as SR150,000. Projects included occasion organization, beauty centers, laundries, home appliances showrooms, confectioneries, pastries and accessories.

Through taxi and truck ownership programs, 20 Saudi men have joined the programs as taxi drivers and 54 as truck drivers for the transportation of goods, vegetables, equipment and people.

The biggest number of job opportunities are in Riyadh, Hail and Qassim, where 1,207 jobs have been created, followed by the Makkah area (923 jobs), the Madinah area (761 jobs), Jizan, Asir and Najran (615 jobs) and Dammam and Ihsa (611 jobs).

In addition, 193 women trainees have attended training courses at the Nafisa Shams Academy. Courses were in cooking and customer services in addition to a course entitled, “How To Start Your Own Project.”