JEDDAH: The Kingdom has seen a number of unlicensed operators offering training courses in the Kingdom, raising concerns about quality, according to a report in a local publication on Tuesday.

These courses are not accredited by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) and includes beauty workshops, business training and fitness courses. Many of them are offered online without TVTC supervision.

Mashael Al-Harabi, who has many such “certificates,” said these courses are not credible. There are so many on offer now that it has become like ordering from a menu in a restaurant, he was quoted as saying.

Muna Al-Ghamdi from the planning and development department at the Yanbu education department, called for greater control over the companies offering these courses on the Internet.

Fahd Al-Otaibi, spokesman of the TVTC, said certain companies are clearly violating the regulations, and warned there would be penalties for their owners. “We will communicate with the governorates to stop these kinds of activities and apply the correct punishment,” he said. He said the TVTC was the only party responsible for training and issuing certificates.

Salah Al-Radadi, head of the culture and information ministry in Madinah, said media courses must be approved by the ministry. He also urged the public to do background checks before applying for courses.

Maryam Mohammadi, director of management, training and scholarship at the Madinah education department, said the TVTC was the only body allowed to accredit courses. The Education Ministry only has a handful of agencies offering training for nursery and kindergarten services, she said.

Lawyer Mohammad Al-Abadi said that those violating the law face up to seven years in prison and fine of up to SR700,000.