Twenty Saudi axiom trainees have graduated from axiom telecom's Management Program, as the region's leading mobile reseller embraces plans to bring more nationals into its telecom business. The six-month Axiom Management Program (AMP) aims to identify, develop, and nurture Saudi talent to become tomorrow's managers and leaders by equipping trainees with the technical and soft skills required to succeed in their fields. Designed for Saudi professionals, the program follows a blended learning approach that is comprised of both practical and theoretical components. AMP is part of a larger Saudization training and employment initiative that axiom launched in May in partnership with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC). The initiative aims to encourage more nationals to join the Kingdom's private sector through the training and employment of Saudi professionals in the fields of sales and mobile services. A recruitment campaign saw axiom hire 435 new Saudi employees before the 2 September 100% Saudization deadline for the telecom sector. And with its recently launched Saudization initiative, axiom has firm plans to raise that number in the coming years. Statistics from the Jadwa Investment – Labor Market Update report showed that citizens comprise just over 20% of Saudi Arabia's private sector workforce, and increasing that proportion is seen as critical to reducing an unemployment rate of more than 11%. Telecommunications is one of the areas highlighted for increased Saudi employment, but many prospective candidates lack the industry-specific skills or experience required. The partnership between axiom and TVTC provides a bridge to employment for new staff, preparing them for work in fields such as sales and mobile services. Jamal Al Bugmi, General Manager of axiom KSA, said: "axiom is an important force in the Saudi market, and we want an emerging generation of Saudi professionals to be part of our future growth. The Kingdom has been very supportive in the two decades we have operated here, and it gives us great pride to contribute to the next phase of its economic and social development." "The Kingdom's telecom sector will play a critical role in achieving national targets, including Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program 2020. We are confident that with the right support, our youth can drive our country to success in telecoms, and across all industries." axiom is well established as a trailblazer for mobile device sales in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC, with numerous retail stores throughout the Kingdom, including Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Al-Khobar, Makkah, Madinah, Al-Kharj, Jubail, Hafuf, Al-Hassa, Hail, Tabuk, and Yanbu, as well as a vast distribution network that stretches across the country and into the remotes of areas. The reseller recently opened its doors to an experiential shopping concept in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Hail. axiom plans to continue opening stores in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al-Khobar, while bringing the innovative shopping experience by the end of this year. axiom is recognized among private sector businesses for its achievements in supporting and attracting nationals to its workforce, having already had 264 Saudi employees before launching this latest initiative. "This is a very exciting moment for me," said Hashim Saleh, one of the graduating trainees. "The coming years will see great changes in the Saudi economy, and that is going to create new opportunities for the younger generation. Joining such a successful and well-known company as axiom will give me the experience to be part of that transformation." — SG
