Boeing and INJAZ Saudi Arabia have signed a strategic partnership agreement earmarking more than SR500,000 to sponsor 20 schools within the framework of SAFEER Initiative, which aims to train and qualify young Saudi students.

The initiative seeks to develop capacities of students according to the needs of the local job market and as per the policy of the nationalization of the work force in the country.

Nael Samir Fayez, board member and CEO of INJAZ Saudi Arabia, and Ahmed A. Jazzar, president of Boeing Saudi Arabia, represented the respective companies in signing the partnership agreement.

Jazzar said: “We have a long history in the Kingdom and over the years Boeing has endeavored to be a catalyst for positive change." "We are honored to support the youth of the country and provide them with necessary skills and knowledge that will enable them to successfully enter the job market,” added Jazzar.

Fayez said: “More than 220,000 students have benefited from INJAZ Saudi Arabia’s programs since it was kicked off."

The capacity building programs were implemented in more than 700 schools during the last session. The initiative includes implementation of 18 training programs for Saudis in the age bracket of 10 to 24 years, covering more than 50 cities in 25 educational regions.

"The number of training courses provided by INJAZ Saudi Arabia totaled 5,347 imparted by over 3,000 volunteers accumulating more than 31,000 volunteering hours," added Fayez.

Boeing enjoys a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia. It is a partnership that began on Feb. 14, 1945, when US President Franklin D. Roosevelt presented a DC 3 Dakota airplane to late King Abdulaziz.