Being a mechanic does not appeal to Saudi men. It means long hours, patience and messy work. But Yahia Ahmed Masoud is an exception. The 32-year-old Saudi, who is married with two children, has been working as a mechanic for as long as he can remember. “This was my hobby before it was my career,” he said. I used to take my bicycle apart and fix it myself. Then as I got older I fixed my car which eventually led me to opening my own workshop.” Masoud had not planned on becoming a mechanic. After he graduated he struggled for a year to find a job at a hospital. But he soon realized that the job wasn't for him and he left it to open a bicycle repair workshop in Taif. Now, several years later, he has seven workshops around the area and boasts of having the best reputation amongst motorcycle repairmen in Taif. Summer time in Taif is when bikes (quads) appear in the parks and garden pathways. They are available on rent by the hour or for a spin round the park. Rental costs vary from SR50 to SR100, depending on crowd timings. Masoud's enterprising attitude is just what the Ministry of Labor is hoping many young Saudis will adopt. The ministry is campaigning to remove a general misconception among youth about some occupations. Saudi youth are urged to create new industries and help diversify the economy so as to rely less on oil exports. Last June 25, Minister of Labor Ghazi Al-Gosaibi, took the initiative to spread the message about blue-collar jobs by working as a waiter for three hours at a fast-food restaurant in Jeddah. Masoud said he first learned to repair motorbikes by trial and error and then enrolled in a vocational training center to further develop his skills. “They provide training courses for young Saudis so that they can make a living. I graduated as an above-average student specialized in repairing cars.” Though a certified car repairman, Masoud chose to continue with motorbikes because he had a feel for them. Instead of wearing a thobe on the job, he got himself blue overalls and got down to business. His reputation grew and soon enough the police came – as clients wanting to repair their motorcycles. His work was good enough for them to give him two certificates of appreciation. Masoud said the work is suited for only those who are dedicated to learning about being a mechanic, patient and responsible. “Get accustomed to grease, oil and the smell of gasoline, the staple of the workshop environment,” he said. “By the way, my wife does not get upset because of the grease and the oil,” he added. “She washes my uniforms without complaint. “And she has not said a word to me about the smell of my uniform.” __
