RIYADH: Labor Minister Adel Fakieh said the Saudi government is currently engaged in developing a “packaged plan” for effective implementation of the Saudization program in private sector companies, organizations and other business entities. Fakieh was speaking to reporters after presenting in Riyadh, Sunday the annual Saudization Prize to about 30 companies, firms and entities that engage in various economic activities in sectors, such as industry, banking, education, petrochemicals, trade and services and charity organizations. The labor minister presented the awards on behalf of Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier, Minister of Interior and Head of the Manpower Bureau. Fakieh described the awards ceremony as a celebration of the Saudization efforts of companies, enterprises and other entities during the past year. The minister said the business entities or firms that achieve a high percentage of Saudization will receive incentives and full cooperation from his ministry. While those that fail to meet the required percentage of Saudization might face certain consequences, the minister warned referring to a “carrot-and-stick” method combining rewards and punishments. “We are currently engaged in developing a carrot-and-stick strategy for effective implementation of the Saudization program,” said Fakieh. ?Dr. Ali Nasir Ghafis, Governor, Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), told Saudi Gazette that the TVTC is working to develop 21 more partnership programs with the private sector for the training of Saudis in various sectors. He said the TVTC has already introduced a strategic partnership with the private sector to implement training programs that help achieve a large percentage of Saudization. “The TVTC is already operating 12 training institutions in close cooperation with the private sector in areas such as petrochemicals, downstream industry, electricity and water desalination, plastic and rubber, automotive and food industry,” he said. The development of 21 more partnership programs is in the planning stage, he said. “I am happy and satisfied with the program as all the trainees are employed in the company that they work with,” said the TVTC chief. Dr. Ghafis said the annual Saudization awards ceremony is not merely recognition of achieving a high percentage of Saudization but should serve as a model for others to follow suit. Dr. Mutib I. Al-Ruwaitie, CEO of Excellent Solutions, one of the winners of the Saudization award said his company was recognized for achieving 90 percent Saudization. The award is for those companies that achieved the highest Saudization percentage, he said. The companies that received the awards will set new standards for other companies, he added. He said the Saudization drive was not as challenging as perceived. The challenge lies in choosing the right people and training them in order to get the right output, he said. He said the main problem as regards Saudization is that the companies in the private sector are trying to do everything. The companies should have a strategy to outsource jobs that are non-core to a particular business. Al-Ruwietie said there is a misconception that the process of Saudization means replacing the foreign manpower in the Kingdom, when in fact it is not true. “We are benefiting from skilled foreign manpower and Saudi Arabia will continue to require a workforce from abroad as the Kingdom's economy has been expanding and that creates more job opportunities both for Saudis and foreigners,” he said.
