DAMMAM: More than SR14 million has been so far allocated for approved mobile project funding requests submitted by Saudi investors and entrepreneurs wishing to enter the telecommunications sector.

The funding, which is designed to benefit 107 young adults, eight of them females, was provided by the Saudi Credit and Savings Bank in cooperation with the National Entrepreneurship Institute.

The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) recently launched free training programs for mobile basic maintenance. Moreover, a large number of Saudis are being attracted by these training programs, and women are particularly upbeat because of the new career opportunity in an industry that is usually male dominated.

Bashayer Al-Abdullah, a graduate of the training program, said: “I joined the program to learn how to deal with mobiles, especially because I was always attempting to dismantle the device and repair it without having any experience,” confirming that the program will help her to get a job in the mobile maintenance field.

Mariam Al-Otaibi, another graduate, said that the program encouraged her to dismantle the mobile to detect its fault, instead of the previous practice which was based on self-learning through the internet.

Salma Al-Qattan, a graduate, said: “After joining the training program, I began to apply what I studied on the used devices of my family and relatives to reinforce my practical knowledge in this field,” wishing to open a women-only mobile repair shop.

Meanwhile, Huda Al-Hakami, one of the program’s trainers, said: “Women have been waiting for this decision for a long time, as it provides an opportunity for them in the field of mobile maintenance,” confirming that female trainees were happy and optimistic as it is a big opportunity for them to earn money.