Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, chairman of the RCCI, said the exhibition, a first of its kind in the Kingdom, is to be held to support the government’s efforts to lower unemployment by encouraging private companies to employ Saudis.
He said he expects a large number of national companies to participate and offer jobs to Saudis, including those who are disabled. Lectures will also be given to enlighten Saudis on how to handle work pressure and enhance their skills. “The exhibition will be a good opportunity for private companies and organizations to participate in government efforts to combat unemployment in the country,” the RCCI chief said.
He said the chamber’s employment center has helped more than 12,000 young Saudi men and women get jobs during the past eight years. “We have also provided training to 36,000 Saudis.”
Abdullah Al-Shadadi, chairman of the Organizing Committee, said the time of the exhibition coincides with the graduation of university students. “The main objective of this exhibition is to create opportunities for direct employment by bringing together jobseekers and employers,” he said.
He said job-seekers would also be given necessary guidance on the type of qualifications and training required to get specific jobs. “The exhibition will give educational and training centers the opportunity to display their services,” he said.
He said the main beneficiaries of the exhibition would be those Saudis who are seeking jobs or training programs. “It will also offer an opportunity to national companies to present their Saudization plans.”
In 2008, the General Statistics Department at the Ministry of Economy and Planning estimated the total number of unemployed Saudi men and women at 454,000. About 56 percent of that number think of going abroad to find jobs while 86 percent believe it would be difficult for them to get jobs in the Kingdom, a study revealed.
As many as 66 percent of unemployed youths believe the presence of a large number of expatriates is the main reason why they are unemployed, the study said.
Forty-seven percent of unemployed Saudis believe that the number of youths graduating from Saudi universities and colleges is greater than the number of available jobs. There are more than seven million guest workers in the Kingdom.
