DAMMAM: Plans to train and employ Saudi women as dressmakers have been welcomed by Shuaa' Abdullah Al-Dehailan, Chairwoman of the Dressmaking Shops at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Eastern Province. She made the comment while addressing the monthly gathering organized by the chamber's Businesswomen's Center. “It is very difficult to find efficient and well-trained Saudi jobseekers in (this profession). And if we do find them, we still look for committed employees. I believe that if Saudi women find a suitable work environment, they will carry out their jobs properly.” She blamed universities and colleges for not having specialties in handicrafts and pointed out that most graduates are trained in theoretical subjects. This explains why there are increasing numbers of unemployed women. It is high time for the professional institutes to include sections for handicrafts and other practical activities needed by the labor market, she added. Dalal Saeed Al-Qarni, head of the women's section at the Dammam Labor Office, said the section's field inspectors tour women's dressmaking workshops to ensure they meet the Saudization quota set by the ministry. She said the section has no authority to inspect tailor and dressmaking shops opened in citizens' houses. It only deals with owners of licensed shops. Okaz/Saudi Gazette reported Wednesday that plans are being drafted to ensure more Saudi women are trained and employed as dressmakers and hairdressers in Jeddah. Currently only 30 percent of Saudi women jobseekers in Jeddah are employed in these two professions. The Human Resources Development Fund “Hadaf” currently contributes to the cost of the two-year training courses. The fund pays SR5,000 in the first year and SR10,000 in the second year which covers part of the fees and monthly stipend for each trainee over the training period. The fund has interviewed 50 Saudi female jobseekers who have received training and has employed them at 15 dressmaking and hairdressing shops.
