The Minister of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), Ahmed Al-Rajhi, has issued a ministerial decision mandating private sector establishments with 50 or more employees to provide cooperative training for students.
This decision aligns with the educational institution’s approved academic plan and the demands of the job market.
The aim of this decision is to enhance the quality and efficiency of training programmes in the private sector.
It seeks to sustain development and growth opportunities, enabling university, college, and institute students to train in these establishments.
This training prepares them for the job market, improving their performance levels and practical skills, and equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills as academic requirements.
This, in turn, increases their chances of securing suitable employment opportunities after graduation.
The decision stipulates a documented and fixed-term contract between the trainee and the establishment, governed by labour laws.
This contract should include the type of skills required and the profession to be trained in, as well as the training stages.
Moreover, establishments are required to provide a certificate of completion to the trainee at the end of the cooperative training period.
The Ministry has also issued a procedural guide detailing all aspects of the decision, available on its website. Establishments are urged to comply with the decision’s stipulations to avoid legal penalties for non-compliance.
This initiative is part of a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Education, the General Organisation for Technical and Vocational Training, and the Human Resources Development Fund.
It includes conducting meetings and workshops with targeted private sector establishments, aiming to improve the knowledge, skill level, and training of the workforce to enhance their stability and productivity in the job market.
