JEDDAH, 7 April 2006 — Seeing disabled youth in the workplace is not yet a familiar feature in Saudi society, but the “You Are Not Alone” Department for the Disabled Children Association (DCA) hopes to change this over time.
The DCA is hosting an employment program from April 11-13 to help disabled youths position themselves for employment opportunities. Youths without disabilities are also welcome to attend. The minimum age requirement is 15.
The three-day event will include workshops on how to craft résumés, effective job-interview techniques and developing skills. The Arab Society for Human Resources Management, the Human Resources Fund and the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) are hosting the event. Activities of the two days will take place in Ismail Abu Dawood Hall at the JCCI.
The third day of the event will involve introducing potential employees with companies seeking to hire workers, including the College of Business Administration, National Commercial Bank and McDonald’s. This event will take place at the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Hall, located in the association’s building.
“This meeting is a contact point between applicants and companies to enable applicants to find the right jobs,” said Dunia Bin Ali, director of the You Are Not Alone Department at the DCA. Companies who participated in the first meeting that occurred in 2004 offered 79 jobs to the disabled.
“Blind people got the opportunity to work as phone operators,” said Dunia.
The event will take place everyday from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Disabled people and their families are welcomed to attend the event for free. Other youths who wish to find a job through the three-day-meeting are required to pay SR50.
