MLSD and HRDF urge the private sector to join ‘Saifi’ Summer Training Program

The Ministry of Labor and Social Development (MLSD) and the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) call upon the private sector to join the Summer Training Program and submit their opportunities for male and female students, a move that utilizes Saudi young talents through providing on-the-job-training or internship at approved training entities. Both MLSD and HRDF emphasized their keenness to implement the program and ensure employers’ compliance to the Royal Decree No. (7/B/2942) dated 1/3/1418 AH and the Ministerial Decision No. (1/1047) dated 8/3/1429 AH, obliging private-sector establishments with workforce of 25 workers to train a percentage of male and female students and furnish them with skills and work experience during the summer. Khaled Abalkhail, spokesman for MLSD and HRDF, said the establishments can register with the program through the link (http://saifi.hrdf.org.sa) as these entities are required to participate in the program by providing on-the-job-training or internship at approved institutes, in addition to issuing certification for trainees after they complete the training period. The spokesman stressed the importance of establishments’ keenness to offer quality training and show commitment that helps instill work values in students who are under the Saifi program in a bid to equip them with proper skills and work experience as well as prepare them to join the labor market. Abalkhail said the program allows the trained students to find job opportunities in sectors in which they receive training courses or gain skills and expertise, adding the HRDF has provided summer training instructions for establishments accessible through the program website. The Saifi program offers training opportunities for male and female students who are aged not less than 17, leading to sharpen their skills and acquire work experience which meet the labor market needs. Meanwhile, the program offers two types of training, namely on-the-job-training and training done by an institute. The first one trains the student inside the firm and work side by side with the staff to earn firsthand experience and get familiar with the work environment. The second one takes place at approved institutes’ premises, which is financed by the private firms being unable to provide on-the-job-training or preferring to train these students at these training entities.