JEDDAH: Batterjee Education and Training Academy (BETA) successfully launched its training program for the Saudi youth on Saturday. The program was initiated after the Ministry of Labor voiced its concern over the development of the Saudi youth as the future workforce of the Kingdom. The program has attracted 200 youngsters on its first day.

Dr. Khaled Batterjee, the founder of the program, claimed the program’s aim is to train 5,000 young Saudis over the coming months in order for them to be fit for employment by the end of this year. He also stated that the program represented progress on the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman’s concern for young men and women in the Kingdom. The program has been shown support from the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) and the Human Resources Development Fund.

Batterjee pointed out the target of the program, is the resettlement of the Saudi youth in the private sector.

Executive Director of the BETA Academy, Dr. Najwa Salem, praised Labor Minister Mufrej Al-Haqabani’s policy for the support and training of the young Saudi generation in order for them to fulfill the requirements of the local labor market.

Salem added that BETA has signed an agreement with the private sector for the provision of training and education for the young populace, including English Diplomas and IELTS training, in cooperation with the University of Cambridge.

She applauded the efforts of the TVTC Director Ali bin Nasser Al-Ghafis for the development of private institutes to provide quality education in the Kingdom.

Salem concluded by stating that BETA is not solely focused on the provision of education, but preparing the next Saudi generation for the demanding job market.