A new initiative sponsored by a prominent Saudi healthcare provider is set to offer hundreds of Saudi students opportunities to train and work in the healthcare sector. The Education for Employment program (E4E), which started in 2018, has sponsored 100 Saudi high school graduates, predominantly females, to study nursing at the Batterjee Medical College. In line with Vision 2030, this initiative aims to increase the attractiveness of nursing as a preferred career path and encourage more Saudi nationals into the healthcare sector. In collaboration with Saudi German Hospital Group›s Academic Affairs Department, the students will develop their competencies and skills to perform professional nursing duties and responsibilities in the future. SGH Group will provide full financial support and cover tuition fees, monthly allowances and insurance for the students involved. After three years of training, successful graduates of the program will be offered employment at Saudi German Hospital branches. Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Khalid Batterjee, vice president of SGH Group, said, «In the current healthcare climate, we are seeing a shortage of nurses in Saudi Arabia. The Education for Employment (E4E) initiative sets to change this through offering high school students the opportunity to find a rewarding career in nursing. We truly believe nursing is one of the most important jobs when it comes to healthcare. The E4E program is an innovative program in terms of the curriculum. From the first year, the students involved will be out of the classroom and in the hospital shadowing our current doctors and nurses, so they can learn on the job." Batterjee also commented that, although building skills and expertise is essential, there is a big focus on soft skills and attitude throughout the program. «To us, it is not just about skills and expertise. We want to ensure we are fostering the right attitude for our employees to ensure the best patient experience for all patients. To pass the program, there is a big focus on our students being collaborative, self-confident, passionate, professional, excellent communicators and, most importantly, caring and warm individuals whom put the patient first,» Batterjee said. The first cohort of the E4E program is set to graduate in 2021. Saudi high school graduates keen to be considered for the second cohort of students in May 2019 can contact [email protected] to express their interest. — SG
