The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation has awarded contracts to set up 11 new technical colleges in different parts of the Kingdom in order to train Saudis to meet local labor market requirements.

“We will establish more technical colleges in the coming years to provide training to Saudis,” said Ali Al-Ghafees, governor of TVTC, while talking to reporters after attending a career day organized by the College of Technology in Dammam.

Eastern province Gov. Prince Saud bin Naif opened the two-day event that offered 2,100 jobs to the college’s graduates. The governor toured the various pavilions of an exhibition at Alseef Hall in Alkhobar. Sixty companies took part in the show.

Prince Saud also launched projects prepared by the college’s students. Fahd Al-Ameri, exhibition supervisor, commended students for making solar-powered car that can run at a speed of 75 km per hour. “This car can work for 200 km before charging,” he added.

During the ceremony, Prince Saud distributed mementos to sponsors of the exhibition. He also received a commemorative shield from Al-Ghafees. He said 11 new technical colleges would start in September 2013.

Answering a question on privatization of TVTC, Al-Ghafees said: “We have already entered into a strategic cooperation with the private sector, especially in oil and gas and good. We are aiming to run these colleges with the support of international expertise from USA, Australia and Europe.”

He also disclosed plans to develop the curriculums in a way that suit the local labor market. “We are working to expand admission of students at colleges,” he said while commending the government’s support to TVTC to accept more students.