JEDDAH, 28 April 2007 -- A majority of Saudi women graduates who are looking for work have not heard of the training program the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) is scheduled to begin today at various licensed establishments in different regions of the Kingdom.

The head of the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) of the Makkah Region, Hisham Lenjawi, confirmed to Al-Madinah daily last week that part-time employees had been contracted to supervise and implement the training program preparing Saudi women for jobs in the private sector.

According to Lenjawi, women's private and licensed training institutions, JCCI training centers, community and continued education centers at women's university departments and the Education Ministry are hosting this program in various regions, including Makkah, Taif, Hail, Jizan, Tabuk, Al Baha, Sakaka, Al Qurayaat, Al Jandal, Najran, Arar and Turaif.

According to the local report, the free program in its first phase managed to train more than 1,500 Saudi women for the private sector. This enabled them to register at the King Fahd Employment Center that has a database and network system to coordinate between jobseekers, employment agencies and employment vacancies.

Arab News interviews with a group of Saudi women, all in their 20s and all job-seeking college graduates, showed that nearly all of them were unaware of the HRDF program. Additionally they had never heard of the King Fahd Employment Center that offers employment services and career guidance from as early ages of 15.

"It would be great if people remembered those of us who yet aren't out there and need to be told and guided," said Fahda Humaid. "This free training workshop program that the country is offering sounds great, but what's the use if we don't know about it? Why haven't we heard anything about this employment center?"

Others voiced the dire necessity for a directory catering to graduates and jobseekers as 'what-to-do-next' in addition to the general complaint that jobs were not easy to find or keep especially without the proper training or -- the right connections.

"There should be more awareness campaigns -- in schools and universities," said Aisha Salem in her early 20s. "Some of us can't afford to go on to universities and need to either get a job or a quick diploma to enable us to get a job -- to earn a living. A directory would be great to at least tell us where to start. I've been working by-the-hour jobs here and there that don't last long -- nor does the pay last long. Our living depends on it as our families do."

"Government jobs aren't easy to get anymore unless you're connected and well everyone knows that jobs in the private sector work you the hardest on the lowest pay," said 25-year-old Fayza Abdullah. "And unless you've studied in a private school, public schooling doesn't prepare you for the job market, especially the private sector. I'm skeptical about this program especially that we've not even been informed."

Shroug Mohammad was also skeptical. "Is this program for real or is it just a mouth-filler, to shut the mouths of complainers or those criticizing the lack of training and professional preparation for Saudi women?"

In April 2006, Asharq Al-Awsat, a sister publication of Arab News, reported that the HRDF ran a training awareness campaign that was applied to the major cities of the Kingdom: Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. It aimed at training Saudis to work in the private sector focusing on enabling trainees to adjust to the working environment.

The training included skills, behavior, and work ethics. Additionally it included rsum-writing, dealing with interviews, communication skills, people skills, knowing employees' duties and rights as well as computer and language skills.

Those who pass the program receive a certification and a report about the status of their computer and English language knowledge.

Furthermore they are automatically registered at the King Fahd Employment Center - a center that Saudi men as well as women are largely unaware of. "I have been looking for a job for more than 2 years," said Abdulmalek Fuad, in his late 20s. "I have surfed online and have even gone through at least 3 employment agencies. There's been no mention of this employment center. This is frustrating!"

"I even checked out the website for the HRDF website because I've two sisters now also searching for jobs. Sure it talks about training programs but it doesn't give dates, locations," he added.

"Great I'd love to join this program!" said Nouf Ahmad a fresh IT graduate. "Where do I go? Whom do I go to? When does it start? And how do I apply?"

"Are you really asking? You believe them?" responds Lina Abdulaziz, also a fresh IT graduate in her mid 20s. "It's too good to be true."

By Somayya Jabarti

© Arab News 2007