JEDDAH — Several restaurant owners have shown interest in hiring Saudi chefs at the 8th Career Fair at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Al-Watan reported.
Female Students Affairs Dean at KAU, Fatin Al-Braikan, said job market usually needs clerks and office employees. “One of the most sought after job positions at the fair was for a chef. Restaurants were looking to hire Saudi chefs of both genders. The job market has drastically changed because of the Saudization process. Now the job market is in need of Saudis in a variety of sectors and fields,” said Al-Braikan.
She added the university is aware that enabling its students to get a foot in the job market is important. “Studying alone is not enough for a stable and successful career path. The university holds career fairs to familiarize the students with the job market. The students learn valuable skills by being exposed to the job market such as CV writing and interview and presentation skills,” said Al-Braikan.
She also said the fair holds workshops over three days which teach key skills needed in the job market.
“The workshops offered are on the English language, information systems and labor laws. It is very important that our students are aware of their potential as well as their rights and responsibilities,” said Al-Braikan.
She also said the Kingdom is encouraging its youth to become entrepreneurs and initiate their own career.
“The fair had around 2,000 job offers and there were more than 3,000 applications submitted. The career fair included other job positions aside from chefs and aside from the retail sector. King Abdulaziz University is a large university with various departments, all of which were represented in the career fair,” said Al-Braikan.
