Ugla, Deputy Governor of the General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training, has said that its strict measures have helped to reduce the drop-out rate from technical colleges and institutes by 50 percent. The rate had previously risen to over 35 percent. Al-Ugla said the high rate of drop-outs was due to a lack of job opportunities in government, and not the organization's failure to employ its graduates as has been suggested by some quarters. Al-Ugla said more than 75 percent of last year's graduates – some 20,000 students – had been appointed in public and private sector work. “Employment is a national issue with several governmental agencies involved, not only the Technical and Education and Vocational Training Organization,” he said. Al-Ugla said the organization cared more for quality than quantity and has always been keen to match the needs of the labor market. “The organization carries out its role in training Saudi youth in skills that help them enter the labor market, but it should be understood that there are many parties involved in finding jobs for Saudi youth,” Al-Ugla added. “The Kingdom is not the only country struggling with the development of human resources, although we are one of the countries least affected by current economic changes,” Al-Ugla continued. “There are some attractive job openings on the labor market, many of which could be filled by our graduates.”
