RIYADH: Over 33,000 Saudi men and women have applied for training in the telecommunications industry, the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) announced here on Monday.

“The announcement was made only on Sunday and this large number responded in just 24 hours,” said TVTC spokesman Fahd Al-Otaibi on Monday. He said 33,121 applications were received through the TVTC website from across the Kingdom. Most applied for mobile maintenance, followed by sales and customer services. Most women applied to deal with mobile accessories.

The Ministry of Labor announced the new plan on Thursday to minimize cover-up activities and ensure Saudis have sustainable employment in small, medium and large businesses. There are 20,000 jobs available for Saudis in the sector.

Candidates must be over 18 and not employed. There is a 25-hour basic course and 180-hour advanced maintenance program. Successful candidates will be awarded a certificate, Al-Otaibi said.

Labor Minister Mofarrej Al-Haqbani had earlier called for the entire telecommunications sector to be Saudized. The ministry sent circulars to companies telling them to have 50 percent Saudi employees in three months and 100 percent in six months, ending on Sept. 2 this year.

The TVTC orientation program will cover four professional and technical sectors. Others participating include the ministries of commerce and industry, municipal and rural affairs, and communications and technology. The Human Resources Development Fund and General Organization for Social Insurance will be involved.