JEDDAH: The Sheikh Hassan Abbas Sharbatly Charitable Foundation has signed an agreement with the Batterjee Education and Training Academy (BETA) to train 5,000 Saudis over the next year.

The first phase will see 150 young Saudi men and women undergo training with the support of the Ministry of Labor and Human Resources Development Fund, with focus on English language and computers.

Abdul Latif Nukaly, the secretary general of the charity, said the training would improve the basic skills of trainees and prepare them for the Saudi jobs market. He praised the BETA for getting involved in the project.

Najwa Salem, executive director of the BETA, said the training program would ensure that young Saudis are able to contribute in a meaningful manner to the country’s social and economic growth.

Salem thanked the charity for assisting in setting up projects that would uplift the community and ensure the next generation of young Saudis is prepared for the nation’s competitive jobs market.

Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, general coordinator of the program, said the collaboration of the two bodies has ensured that the project is based on community service.

The training program would help the participants hone their English skills, computer competencies and develop their critical thinking, he said.