Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — The Saudi Railway Polytechnic Institute is training 40 young Saudis to carry out maintenance work on Riyadh Metro.

Rumaih Al-Rumaih, director of the institute who is also president of the Public Transportation Commission, said the commission's goal was to nationalize a number of industrial fields by qualifying young Saudis to handle technical jobs in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

The Riyadh Metro is a project under King Abdulaziz Public Transportation Plan.

Al-Rumaih said the training program was devised in cooperation with Siemens, one of the contractors implementing the Riyadh Metro. Selected applicants will undergo a three-year training program in Buraidah, he said.

"The first year of the training focuses on essential skills such as English, computer literacy and safety regulations. The last six months will be intensive on-the-job training," said Al-Rumaih.

The institute was founded in 2014 as a partnership between the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation and Saudi Railways Company.

"It is very important to train local cadres on how to work in the railway and similar industries. Graduates of the institute have already been employed in various projects in the Kingdom. The latest project on hand is the Riyadh Metro," said Al-Rumaih.

He added that all trainees were treated as full-time employees from day one. "I would like to thank the founders of the institute, the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation and the Saudi Railways Company, for their constant support. The institute believes in the great potential of the Saudi youth and its vital role in developing the country," said Al-Rumaih.