Princess Madawi, vice president of the Saudi Alzheimer’s Disease Association, chairperson of Luthan Hotel & Spa and vice chairman of Rayyanat-Najd for Investment, said: “There should be a private-public partnership in training, especially with the Ministry of Labor emphasis on Saudization. Thus it (the ministry) should team up with the companies and other bodies to provide job training needed to fulfill their goals and in the process bring down women unemployment.”

New and unconventional jobs require training, the princess said, while admitting that the private and the public sectors do cooperate in training. “Saudization should not be enforced on establishments without the workforce undergoing proper training,” she added.

Princess Madawi, a social service graduate, is a women of philanthropic interest and believes work ethics should also embrace social responsibility.

Work culture is the key: Princess Madawi said although experience is a requirement, the private sector should waive the “many years” experience condition and choose the most qualified on hand before providing on-the-job training as part of its social responsibility.

She, however, does not put the blame completely on the private sector for the shortcoming regarding training, as some of the “qualified” young women do not have the patience needed to develop their abilities and evolve.

“The concept of work culture does not exist, and that is what we should stress on,” said Princess Madawi, adding that although the Saudi woman has come a long way, the new generation needs to be taught not only for the benefit of one’s self but also to imbibe in them a sense of social duty.

According to Princess Madawi, the universities and the Saudi Commission for Investments and other such bodies have taken initiatives to lay down the concept of work culture. “The forums and workshops organized by them build the concept of work culture. The workshops carried out by working women from various fields, help educate, direct and build awareness of this young generation by setting examples.”

Princess Madawi also stressed on the necessity for businesswomen to educate themselves first, build their self-confidence, and trust their abilities. “It is a golden era for the Saudi women in business and in other domains as there is social flexibility that provides her with suitable opportunities in every field.

Businesswomen and new horizons: “The Saudi women have made great progress, as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah is supporting them, and this has enabled them to reach new extraordinary horizons,” said the princess, adding that determination and persistence is what paves the way against challenges as well as regulations.

She believes that while teaching the young generation the culture of work, the stress should be on determination and persistence. “Believing in one’s own idea should work as a motivation. Blame should not be directed toward regulations or laws, as commitment, giving and doggedness can overcome all.”

Luthan Hotel & Spa, Princess Madawi said was an idea all partners believed in and worked for, in spite of the social disapproval. It was only after efforts for more than seven years that the idea saw the light.

Luthan is an example of the new field offered to women in the Saudi society, as it is a hotel fully staffed by women. Specializing in hospitality, she said, is not only useful for hotel business but is also handy in many other fields and businesses.

Princess Madawi, however, admits that there is a lack of experienced as well as qualified personnel. “A college degree is not enough sometimes, as business administration, for example, has many original branches but the students, males and females, are not directed to them, even if the market requires them,” she added.

Even the charitable or philanthropic field requires training for both the employees and the volunteers, Princess Madawi said. In her opinion, voluntary work indirectly trains people on discipline and commitment and helps influence their professional life. “Training is on the top of our agenda for volunteers in Saudi Alzheimer’s Disease Association,” she added.

Work culture versus unemployment: To be able to cut unemployment, Princess Madawi returns to the point of enhancing the work culture concept. Summer temp jobs, courses and workshop, in her opinion, provide the necessary training even for undergraduates, and that is the responsibility of the private sector, and businesswomen specifically.

“In order for us at the private sector to help in training, I would repeatedly stress on the work culture. The summer programs are usually set up taking into consideration the society and its structure, as many oppose the long working hours, the evening shifts and family limitations,” said Princess Madawi, adding that this should change through boosting work culture even within families.

She commended the role the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry in providing courses and workshops for the woman in the private sector. Yet, she feels that their role can further improve.

“The courses and workshops offered by the chambers are repeated and they are conventional. The job market should be explored more, and periodical meetings with businesswomen should be carried out to learn about the new job opportunities and requirements,” said Princess Madawi, adding, “The future is for businesses that focus on social responsibilities.”