Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF) and the Marketing Association have signed a memorandum of cooperation to train, qualify and employ Saudis in the marketing professions in the private sector.

This will be through providing sustainable jobs, developing quality standards and professional accreditation, and raising the skill level of Saudis in line with the needs of the employment market.

The three bodies have agreed to form a joint working group to define the priority professions and define the targets of Saudization in accordance with a detailed time bound plan.

They also agreed to set a time bound plan for preparing and implementing training programs for the professions that require qualification, and to follow up and share reports on the progress of work with specialists participating in monitoring and discussing challenges and obstacles and providing support to address them.

According to the memorandum of cooperation, the three bodies will work to localize marketing professions by raising the skill and professional competency of Saudi cadres, developing their capabilities, raising their competitive advantage, and providing them with the skills and knowledge necessary for the labor market, as part of efforts to replace expatriate workers with them.

Under the deal, the ministry will have to study and analyze the current situation of the marketing professions, monitor the indices of professional exposure to the marketing professions, coordinate with the relevant authorities to develop training programs for the professions targeted for Saudization, and work to achieve the agreed Saudization targets, Okaz/Saudi Gazette has learned.

On its part, HADAF will hold periodic employment forums in all regions of the Kingdom, and will enable the private sector to achieve Saudization targets by providing training programs, besides supporting training programs conducted by the Marketing Association, in accordance with the procedures and mechanisms of HADAF. The Fund will also approve training programs for professions targeted in the deal.

According to the memorandum, the Marketing Association will work to determine the training needs of professions and prepare the training content for them as well as to define the targeted professions based on the market situation.

It will also coordinate with the relevant authorities to develop laws and regulations for issuing licenses to marketers, and coordinate with the relevant authorities to develop educational and training curricula formulated by the educational authorities.

The association will also work to develop appropriate training and qualification programs to build professional marketing skills and competencies, support and direct the recruitment process and facilitate communication between young Saudis and employers.

It will also coordinate and supervise cooperative training for students in coordination with companies and authorities in the Kingdom.