06 February 2017

By SHARIF M. TAHA 

RIYADH: In a move to support the Saudization drive, the Ministry of Labor and Social Development has opened a telecom complex containing more than 83 shops at a district in the eastern part of the capital city.

The shops, run by Saudi nationals, primarily aim to sell and maintain mobile phones and accessories in line with government plans to Saudize telecom jobs in the Kingdom.

Ibrahim Al-Shafi, the ministry’s undersecretary for special programs, launched the event, which was also attended by the owner of the complex and representatives of the ministry’s inspection directorate, the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) and the Social Development Bank (SDB).

Al-Shafi said many of the young Saudis, who are in the complex, have benefited from training courses provided by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development in the areas of customer service, mobile phone maintenance and selling skills.

He said training programs have become electronic-based. The trainee is no longer required to attend such courses physically, but can access them through the electronic portal “doroob.” Others have benefited from support programs provided by the HRDF and SDB, he said.

“Doroob” is a national project offering incentives, including theoretical knowledge, practical experience and certification approved and recognized by major companies in the Kingdom.

The opening of the complex affirms the wide response of Saudi youths to the ministry’s decisions on the Saudization of the telecom sector, Al-Shafi said.

He said the newly opened complex has provided more than 160 job opportunities for young Saudis.

© Arab News 2017