A summer training program conducted by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) has attracted a large turnout of participants, spurring the TVTC to work on developing its next version.
On his recent visit to the Riyadh Technical College, TVTC Governor Ahmed Alfahaid said he received positive feedback from a number of trainees of the Otqen community training workshops, which he said reflects the program’s success.
Alfahaid said: “I visited Riyadh Technical College where five workshops in different specializations were being held. I am delighted and proud of our ambitious youth. The visit was positive and all suggestions to increase the number of courses have been accepted. The first phase of Otqen comprised six specializations, while the second phase — which will have ended this week — comprised 16 technical and vocational specializations for both males and females.”
He added: “Although these courses are being held in summer, we received more trainees than expected. We are now in the last week of Otqen and we are planning to take advantage of suggestions to improve the third phase.”
The number of applicants in the community program since the beginning of registrations in the second phase has reached over 14,700 — 48 percent males and 51 percent females.
Otqen provides 16 technical and vocational training courses held at the TVTC training units for people to improve their technical skills and help them with their daily needs.
A course about the maintenance of electronic devices has been taken by 2,398 trainees, proving to be the most popular program among men, while cosmology and hairdressing courses were taken by 1,765 female trainees. Meanwhile, the Photoshop and Illustrator program was attended by 1,643 trainees, the largest attendance comprising both men and women.
Registrations were made online on the TVTC website and open to applicants over the age of 15.
TVTC governor: Otqen training program a success
TVTC governor: Otqen training program a success
25,000 attend Social Development Bank’s DeveGO25 forum
The Social Development Bank concluded the second edition of the Entrepreneurship and Modern Business Practices Forum — DeveGo 2025 — announcing the achievement of high-impact outcomes that further reinforced the forum’s position as the largest national platform in the region dedicated to entrepreneurship, innovation, and freelance work in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
The forum witnessed broad participation from local and international experts, investors, entrepreneurs, and representatives of local, regional, and international institutions.
Over three days at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, the forum drew 25,000 participants and visitors, who benefited from over 45 specialized workshops and over 2500 advisory sessions delivered by more than 70 consultants and experts.
The sessions covered key areas including entrepreneurial planning, business models, venture capital, digital platforms, freelancing, and emerging technologies.
The forum also featured 20 panel discussions with leading local and international speakers, addressing major global trends in entrepreneurship, including the future of artificial intelligence, the creative economy, digital transformation, and venture investment.
The forum saw the launch of the Saudi Empretec Fellowship, in the presence of Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the UN Conference on Trade and Development.
The partners in success within the Social Responsibility Portfolio supporting entrepreneurs were honored.
It also saw the honoring of 13 winners of the Handicrafts Competition, representing various regions of the Kingdom, the announcement of winners of the Salam Award for Promising Projects, and the recognition of leading entrepreneurial projects fund under the Enterprises Track.
In addition, the NEXT UP Challenge concluded on the third day of the forum with 20 startups presenting their projects to more than 500 investors, enhancing opportunities for networking and partnership building.
As part of efforts to strengthen the support ecosystem, the forum witnessed the signing of 51 agreements, along with the launch of a suite of new financing products. These included the Capital Expansion Product with a ceiling of up to SR10 million, the Payroll Product with a ceiling of SR2 million, and the Rental Product with a ceiling of SR1.5 million, aimed at supporting enterprises in asset development and covering operational costs.
This reflects the bank’s direction toward offering more specialized financing tools that respond effectively to market needs.
The forum concluded by reaffirming its role as a unifying national platform for entrepreneurship, where accompanying activities and events provided direct engagement opportunities between entrepreneurs, investors, and experts.
The forum also highlighted success stories and practical experiences that reflect the scale of entrepreneurial momentum in the Kingdom and the growing role of the Social Development Bank in supporting a national economy driven by innovation and knowledge.
