Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Labor and Social Development has joined hands with Tatweer Education Holding Company (THC) and Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF) to create jobs for 9,000 Saudi women in the driving school sector over the period of three years, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Development Abdullah Abuthonain signed a memorandum of cooperation with Osama Al-Haizan, CEO of THC, and Juma Hamed, deputy director general of the Training Support Sector of HADAF, in this regard.

The memorandum aims to create around 900 new job opportunities by 2022 through the establishment and operation of eight women driving schools in 2019 in the cities of Hail, Arar, Najran, Jazan, Makkah, Madinah, Al Jouf and Abha.

The General Traffic Department has authorized THC to build and operate driving schools in these eight cities following the government’s historic decision to allow women to drive in Sept. 2017. Accordingly, THC has drawn up plans to hire Saudi women to fill up all the positions at these schools. THC is a state-owned company managed by a board representing the ministries of finance and education as well as representatives of the private sector.

The memorandum reflects the principle of sustainable partnership seeking to realize the aspirations of the leadership through the cooperation of the government and the private sectors in line with the objectives of the National Transformation Program 2020 and long-term goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Several Saudi women who obtained their driving licenses abroad are among the instructors at a number of driving schools established in various parts of the Kingdom. Women, aged 18 and above, are qualified to apply for a driving license.