RIYADH — The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) signed on Monday an agreement with the Saudi Railway Company (SAR) to establish a technical institute that will provide specialist training in railway operation and maintenance. The agreement was signed in the presence of Dr. Ali Nasser Al-Ghafees, Governor of TVTC, and Mansour Saleh Al-Maiman, Chairman of SAR. In a statement to the press following the signing, Al-Ghafees thanked the Saudi Railway Company for working with TVTC. He said the establishment of the institute aims to provide distinctive training for Saudi youths in railway operation and maintenance. He added that the institute would give Saudi youths the training and qualifications to work on SRC installations and for other companies in the same sector throughout the Kingdom. Al-Ghafees said cooperation with SAR forms part of TVTC's goals to enter into strategic partnerships with local and international business sectors for the provision of technical and vocational training. Al-Maiman welcomed the agreement with TVTC. He said SAR would use the partnership to stimulate the railway maintenance sector and provide job opportunities for Saudi youths in several technical and managerial fields. Al-Maiman added the company is currently constructing a railway network with a total length of 2750 km including six passenger stations, nine for goods, three for transporting minerals and three main workshops in Riyadh, Hail and Al-Ne'airiah, among other facilities. — SG
