Demand for enrolment in training programs in information and communication technology (ICT) offered by Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) in cooperation with Cisco is fast increasing in Saudi Arabia. TVTC-Cisco Saudi Arabia, which signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for joint training program in networking celebrated in Riyadh on Wednesday the 10,000-mark of trained Saudi graduates including 6,500 students trained at TVTC facilities in the Kingdom. Among those present on the occasion included Dr. Ali Al-Ghafees, Governor of TVTC which was earlier named as General Organization for Technical Educational and Vocational Training (Gotevot), a government-funded technical institution, Dr. Badr Bin Hamoud Al-Badr, Managing Director, Cisco Saudi Arabia, Dr. Mohammed Al-Kahtani, Director-General of e-learning, Training Resource Center, TVTC and Hasham Shahwan, Area Academy Manager and other invited guests. According to reports there is a huge shortage of trained Saudi IT graduates in Saudi Arabia. This is at a time when the Kingdom's IT sector is booming, both public and private creating a large number of employment opportunities for Saudis. Dr. Ghafees underscored the TVTC-Cisco cooperation saying that its significance was laid in Cisco Networking Academies, which were established in Saudi Arabia to bridge the gap of Networking jobs, especially when there is an overwhelming need for local networking specialists in the Kingdom. “We are very happy with this strategic collaboration that reflects Cisco's commitment towards serving the Saudi community and supporting the business sector,” Dr. Ghafees said. Dr. Al-Badr said developing and addressing the growing skills gap and creating entrepreneurs and leaders of the future, is at the forefront of Cisco's mission in Saudi Arabia. “Our ongoing strategic collaboration with TVTC marks another key milestone in the journey to help create jobs for young Saudi workforce,” he said. According to Hasham Shahwan young Saudis showed keen interest. This is evident from the record enrolment of around 3,500 Saudi high-school graduates including 16 percent female candidates in 2007 alone, he said. The uniqueness of Cisco Certification Network Association (CCNA) is its six-month training program that it could be incorporated with other ICT courses offered by TVTC, he said. “The integration of CCNA along with other TVTC training courses enhanced the interest of Saudi students, who find it suitable for the job market,” he said. The keenness of Saudis for enrolment in ICT training programs was so high that it exceeded a 200 percent growth as compared with a mere 12 percent in similar programs offered in other parts of the world, said Shahwan. Dr. Al-Kahtani said TVTC-Cisco association aimed to enhance the Saudi graduates' skills mainly to prepare them in a way that the Saudi job market needs. “Training in IT field and networking skills will offer a much-needed support to economic success and independence of individuals in the emerging markets such as Saudi Arabia,” he said. He said after witnessing the progress in the strategic partnership which was demonstrated through successful training program during last year, “both sides look forward to make further program in the future.” Shahwan said there was an increase in the number of Cisco Networking Academies in the Kingdom. The basic aim is to produce more ICT graduates and provide the citizens access to knowledge and skills that they need to success in an increasingly technology-dependent economy. __
