RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has set more than 30 professions for Saudization in the communications and information technology sector, Okaz/Saudi Gazette has learnt from ministry sources. These jobs include communications engineer, computer engineer, network engineer, software development specialist, network technician, technical support specialist, business analysis specialist and programmer. The localization will be applied to all establishments in the labor market where there are five or more workers. The ministry targets to create as many as 9,000 jobs for Saudis in this vital sector, and it has set minimum monthly salary of SR5,000 for technical jobs and SR7,000 for specialized professions. The ministry aims to stimulate growth in the field of communications and information technology (CIT) by creating more jobs for young Saudi men and women professionals. The ministry indicated that the plan to localize CIT jobs was based on a joint agreement concluded by the ministry early last year with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF) and the Council of Saudi Chambers, represented by the National Committee for Information and Communications Technology. This initiative aims to enable Saudi graduates in the CIT field to obtain decent jobs as well as to provide a suitable and stimulating work environment for them in the private sector, and enhance their work in pivotal jobs to contribute to the development of the private sector. A number of initiatives aimed to support the localization of CIT jobs, most notably the "Future Skills Initiative," which was launched by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, as well as the programs and services of HADAF, with the aim of qualifying and developing digital professionals and enabling them to work in the CIT field. It is noteworthy that the HR Ministry targets the vital specialties that are witnessing diversification and growth to provide many distinct opportunities for Saudi men and women, including jobs in communication engineering, IT, application development, programming and analysis, technical support and technical jobs for communications.
