Conference on Saudi vocational education to be supported by BAE Systems

The conference, which is the most important annual event of its kind in Saudi Arabia, will be held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General. As in previous years, the event is being organised by Gotevot and will attract delegates and speakers from the Kingdom and abroad.

Some 700 delegates are expected to attend, and there will be 250 different presenters drawn from the education and vocational training sectors in the Kingdom and from 20 countries overseas. For the first time, this year's conference will feature a female presenter and a special workshop session will focus on technical education for women.

The overall conference theme is recent international developments in vocational training and the linking of these with labour market conditions in the Kingdom, said Dr Saleh Al Amro, Deputy Governor of Gotevot.

'Exchange of experience between employers and worldwide training establishments is vital in equipping young Saudis with the skills and interest to seek employment in technical and engineering jobs,' said Dr Saleh.

'This conference provides the ideal opportunity to share such experience. We are delighted to have the support of BAE Systems in helping to make this event possible.'

BAE Systems funded the four-year programme run by Gotevot to develop national vocational qualifications in Saudi Arabia, leading to what has been described as one of the most important reforms ever undertaken in the labour market in the Kingdom. Ted Cosway, BAE Systems' Director for Industrial and Business Development, said the support for their conference is a further sign of growing partnership with Gotevot.

'We have a Saudi workforce of 2,500 people and expect to increase this substantially over the next few years as we invest in building our industrial base in the Kingdom,' said Mr Cosway. 'As a result of our own commitment to employing Saudis with technical engineering skills it is imperative for us to support the training initiatives of the Saudi government as implemented by Gotevot.

'Also, because of our background in developing vocational education around the world we have a duty to bring our international experience to Saudi Arabia. We look forward to working with Gotevot for many years to come.'