“The participants came up with meaningful recommendations expected to strengthen technical and vocational training in the Kingdom,” said Ali bin Nasser Al-Ghafis, governor of the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC).

He added that they also recommended  that technical and vocational training institutions should  produce qualified graduates to help engender productivity in the local labor market.

Hamad Alakla, deputy governor for boys' training, added: “Local training institutions should meet the challenge of equipping technical and vocational graduates with the necessary skills so that they can contribute to the productivity of the local labor market.”

He said it is necessary for them to be knowledgeable and competent in vocational and technical training and they should undergo a strict selection process before they are hired.

“As a result, they would become competent trainers later on. There must also be a flexible system that facilitates communication between trainers and senior management,” he said.

Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Melhem, dean of the College of Technology in Al-Ahsa, said that technical and vocational training in the Kingdom had advanced over the last 10 years.

He said for this reason, there is a need for continuous training assessment and attracting Saudi students to take up technical and vocational courses and be trainers later on.

Participants stressed that qualified trainers are important to produce competent technical and vocational graduates who are needed for labor market productivity.

Visitors to the exhibition held on the sidelines of the conference  also expressed happiness over the latest products of different international training equipment manufacturers.