JEDDAH, 15 August 2004 — A seven-week program to help young Saudis find jobs began at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) here yesterday.
“This is the sixth in a series of such events held twice every year,” Dr. Mohammad Moustafa Mahmud, general manager of the chamber’s Jeddah Center for Manpower Development, told Arab News. “Invitations have been sent to all local companies to participate and identify job opportunities in 13 professions, which is four more than last year,” he said.
“Also for the first time, they have been asked to identify job opportunities for women as well,” he added.
The new jobs included are of truck drivers, retail cashiers, assistant accountants and auto mechanics. The old ones are of executive secretary, ticketing officers, salesmen, gold shop salesmen, retail salesmen, receptionists, storekeepers, customs classifiers and safety and security officers.
Mahmud said applications from jobseekers will be received for three weeks at the chamber. A number of desks have been put up for the purpose on the first floor of the JCCI headquarters. At the end of the three-week period, all applicants will be enrolled in a workshop on career counseling. “The aim of the workshop, to be held daily for two weeks at the JCCI auditorium, is to advise applicants on the best career for them and to improve their skills in preparing CVs, facing personal interviews, and inform them of the basic work rules and ethics,” he explained.
This will be followed by a two-week “job fair” at the JCCI where employers and jobseekers will get together for interviews and employment contracts.
It is planned to hold a first ever workshop on employment of disadvantaged people during the job fair. The plan also includes holding a job fair targeting such people.
Mahmud said a survey was under way to find out job opportunities and training packages available for women. “Once the survey is completed, female jobseekers will be invited to apply,” he said.
Mahmud said during the fifth job fair 907 applicants landed jobs. This was the highest number in the history of the program. This year the number is expected to be doubled.
“The aim of the center is to feed the needs of the market,” Mahmud said. It conducts programs in coordination with the National Organization for Cooperative Training.
The Kingdom spends more than SR 1.5 billion annually on training Saudis for jobs in the private sector. The government plans to focus on the development of manpower by increasing their efficiency, ability and capacities through training geared to market needs. “The market needs able and capable manpower, and the training imparted to the youth takes this into consideration,” Mahmud explained.
He said it was encouraging to note that young Saudis were coming forward to participate in the program and were now ready to work in any position in any area. “JCCI has been playing a significant role in training youth to help and support the private sector and the national economy,” he added.
The center invites experts from training institutes to address human resource managers, personnel managers and general managers of private companies on such topics as selecting employees, teaching and on the job training.
