RIYADH: Forty young Saudi men have entered the Saudi Technical Institute for Railways to undergo specialized training in railway operations and maintenance.
Chairman of the Public Transport Authority (PTA), Rumaih Al-Rumaih, said: “The training is in preparation for them to work at the Riyadh Metro, also called the King Abdul Aziz Project for Public Transport in Riyadh.”
In the first year, the trainees will undergo training in a number of basic skills, including English language, computer skills and safety rules.
From there, they move to the stage of specialization and training on the job during the last six months of the training period in preparation of assuming jobs such as train engine driver, assistant driver and control managers.
Al-Rumaih said that the young Saudis’ training is within the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and its initiative to staff a number of industries through the rehabilitation of Saudi youths in various technical disciplines.
He added that such training will contribute to creating a national cadre capable of operating and maintaining major state projects such as railways.
40 Saudis undergo training in preparation for jobs at Riyadh Metro
40 Saudis undergo training in preparation for jobs at Riyadh Metro
Children’s Theater Festival opens in Qassim region
- To develop future ‘cultural architects,’ says CEO Khaled Al-Baz
- ‘Nurture creativity, aesthetic awareness and sense of belonging’
BURAIDAH: The Qassim Children’s Theater Festival opened on Tuesday bringing together professionals from across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.
The event is being held under the patronage of Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, governor of Qassim, at the Science Center in Unaizah governorate.
It has been Organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Association and executed by the Unaizah Theater Association, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Running until Jan. 31, it features shows, panel discussions, as well as training workshops to develop children’s theater and strengthen professional skills in the field.
Khaled Al-Baz, CEO of the Theater and Performing Arts Association, told the SPA the festival forms part of a broader strategy to position children’s theater as a distinct cultural sector.
“Children today constitute genuine audiences — tomorrow’s cultural architects,” Al-Baz said.
Ahmed Al-Humaimidi, president of the Unaizah Theater Association, said it was an investment in young people, noting that it extends beyond performances to include cultural and educational programming.
He said the initiative aims to nurture creativity, aesthetic awareness and a sense of belonging, while also identifying emerging talent and encouraging knowledge exchange among theater practitioners.
“Our association recognizes children’s theater as foundational to cultivating aware, creative character,” he said.
The festival serves as both an artistic showcase and a platform for professional dialogue, reflecting the Kingdom’s expanding cultural landscape and growing focus on children’s theater as an educational and cultural tool, the SPA noted.
This occurs alongside support for signature initiatives and performing arts promotion as quality-of-life enhancement.
