TRAINING Saudis so they can thrive in all economic sectors, especially the industrial sector, will greatly contribute to bolstering the national economy and increase productivity. Several leading economic experts have said attracting Saudis to various industrial fields and training them accordingly will wean the private sector off its heavy reliance on government initiatives aimed at creating job opportunities for Saudis. Ibrahim Batterjee, chairman of the industrial committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the industrial and commercial sectors are in desperate need for Saudis, an opportunity that both the government and private sector should not miss. "A few years ago, factories hardly had any Saudi worker but today several national factories have hired well-trained Saudi workers who have proved their efficiency. But we still hope that the number of Saudis entering industrial fields will increase based on well-studied strategies and plans," Batterjee said. Critics of Saudization have long said that Saudis refuse to work in blue-collar jobs but Batterjee disagreed with that popular notion. He argued that Saudis can support and bolster the national economy and raise national productivity. He suggested that young Saudi men and women need to realize that they have to prove they are producers and can benefit the national economy. "Saudis have to have a sense of belonging in the workplace and feel that they are important for the improvement and development of the company they work for. Our youth should not view themselves as merely fulfilling Saudization requirements. They have to prove themselves," he stressed, while suggesting regular meetings between businessmen and Saudi youth to discuss the obstacles young job seekers face. Businessman Rami Ikram agreed with Batterjee and called on business owners to introduce on-the-job training and offer rewarding job opportunities that help young Saudis unleash their talents and capabilities. "It is important we play a role in increasing Saudization across all sectors, especially industries, and offer Saudi employees strong training opportunities," he said. Fahd Mozahim, economic expert, said the private sector needs Saudis who are well-trained and well-qualified and who can develop the national economy and strengthen infrastructure. He also suggested cutting down the number of expatriates in the country. "Unemployment should be ended and the number of expatriate workers who transfer millions of riyals to their countries should be lowered. If less expatriate workers are recruited, public spending on educational, medical and transportation facilities will decrease and the practice of Tasattur will end," he said, referring to the practice where Saudis permit foreigners to manage businesses in their names in return for a stake in the profits.
