Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) has on March 15, the implementation of the first phase of the decision to localize licensed aviation professions across the Kingdom, which they call Saudization , in collaboration with supervisory entities, after the expiry of the grace period.
The decision comes in a time , when Saudi Arabia has announced the formation of a New national carrier Riyadh Air , which will expectedly be an world class airline , and a Job generator.
Though , first deliveries of the newly ordered widebody aircraft are scheduled for early 2025, in terms of economic impact, in Saudi Arabia, the new airline is expected to add $20 billion to non-oil GDP growth and create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The first phase includes the 100% Saudization of the copilot, air controller and dispatcher professions. Meanwhile, the aviation transport pilot and air hostess professions will be 60% and 50% Saudized, respectively. The decision will apply to all private sector institutions operating in the local market and having a minimum of five employees in the aviation profession.
The second phase will start on March 4, 2024, and includes the Saudization of airline transport pilot and air hostess professions by 70% and 60%, respectively.
The decision applies to all private establishments, with five or more employees in the specified professions. All workers in the target professions should obtain professional accreditation from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
The ministry affirmed that it will provide a package of incentives to support private sector establishments to help them employ Saudis, including supporting the process of attracting and searching for suitable workers; supporting the necessary training and qualification process; assisting the employment process and job stability for Saudis; in addition to the priority of benefiting from all Saudization support programs available to the system, and the support and employment programs through the Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF).
The decision comes within the framework of the cooperation of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development together with the supervisory authorities represented by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics and GACA in order to regulate the Saudi labor market, raise its efficiency, increase the participation of male and female citizens in the private sector, provide more quality job opportunities, and achieve job stability.
The ministry issued a guide that explains the details of the decision and the mechanism for its implementation. It stressed the need for establishments to abide by the implementation of the provisions of this decision, in order to avoid the statutory penalties that will be applied against the violators.
Saudi Arabia Aviation News....
