The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) is helping to prepare skilled workers for the labor market by designing appropriate training programs and developing partnerships with the private sector, said Dr. Ali Bin Nasser Al-Ghafis, Governor of the TVTC. Al-Ghafis made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of a forum entitled, “The Future Horizons of Training” organized by the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry at its headquarters in Dammam on Tuesday. He said that the TVTC has developed 270 professional standards now being used by private sector training institutes. Al-Ghafis said the commission also selects qualified trainers to attend specialist training courses aimed at developing their skills. He said one of the major tasks of the TVTC is to develop the training industry and set up strategic partnerships with the private sector. It has already signed 28 such strategic partnerships. He said the private sector has become a genuine partner of the TVTC in preparing trained technical workers. It is also seeking international and domestic expertise to operate its training and professional institutes. He said the government training institutes are tasked with the training of male and female students in various skills. The TVTC has 35 technical colleges, 14 technical institutes for girls, three institutes for military vocational training and 69 industrial institutes. Abdul Rahman Bin Rashid Al-Rashid, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Province chamber, said training is vital for the economy. The government supports this and has allocated SR168 billion in this year's budget for training, an increase of SR30.4 billion compared to last year's budget.
