Orphans and relatives of prisoners will be given first priority to join free job training programs, the chairman of the Social Development Commission in the Eastern Province said. “We are focusing our support programs on orphans and relatives and dependants of prisoners to enable them to learn skills that will help them get employment in the labor market or set up small businesses,” said Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Khamees, head of the commission, a non-governmental agency providing social and livelihood support programs for citizens. He said the free job training program, called “Make a Skill,” plans to provide training to 1,200 male and female participants. The program has already had a soft start with 72 trainees attending six training courses. Al-Khamees said the Social Development Commission has engaged the support of the General Organization for Technical and Vocational Training in preparing various job training programs suitable for Saudi youth. The “Make a Skill” training program is also supported by the Asharqia Chamber and Dar Al-Yaum, a local publication. Adnan A. Al-Nuaim, secretary general of Asharqia Chamber, said the chamber is supporting the initiative of the Social Development Commission because of the NGO's strong commitment to help unemployed and socially-challenged citizens, adding that the private business sector is keen to support and encouraging such projects.
