Around 75 percent of Saudi youth who applied to the vocational centers affiliated with the Technical and Vocational Training Center passed the examination, revealed a source at the Ministry of Labor.

The source said that 1,417 Saudis enrolled at the vocational centers obtained certificates, out of a total of 1,878.

The vocational tests aim to develop the skills and raise the capacity of Saudis entering the work force, the source explained.

“The ministry is currently working on updating the Saudi vocational classification and description guide and add new vocational training criteria to suit market needs,” he said.

He said the ministry is coordinating with the Human Resource Development Fund to develop the national vocational classification guide to conform to international standards. In addition, an agreement has been reached to approve the national guide for economic activities, which was issued by the Central Department of Statistics and Information. The guide is based on the unified metric guide for economic activities, which is issued by the International Labor Organization.

“Representatives from the National Information Center at the Ministry of Interior, the Passport Directorate, labor offices and the National Information Center are working together to reform the listed vocations to serve national development purposes,” he added.