RIYADH: The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) recruited 251,000 Saudis to work in the private sector this year, up 25 percent compared to 2014.
“The number brings to 772,283 Saudis recruited by the HRDF. Of the total number, males accounted for 64 percent,” said Ibrahim Al-Miqil, HRDF director general.
He said the number of recruited Saudi nationals to work in the private sector this year is the largest since 2011.
He attributed HRDF’s recruitment success to a host of reasons like cooperation of firms in the private sector by responding to job placement requests.
He said that legislation, policies and programs of the Ministry of Labor and the HRDF have also helped in the recruitment.
“These factors have contributed to the desired correction of the labor market so that more Saudis could be absorbed by companies in the private sector,” he said.
He said the HRDF has expanded its e-services and increased the number of branches to 120 in the different regions of the Kingdom.
“The HRDF’s employment program is also backed with training of new recruits so that they become efficient and competent workers,” Al-Miqil said.
He said the HRDF has different programs for both Saudi males and females. One of these, he said, is the program for teachers in private schools.
Under the program, some 23,440 Saudis will be employed, which is 9 percent of the total number of recruits since 2011. The HRDF also has a program to help companies in the private sector pay the salaries of their Saudi employees, he said.
“This HRDF program supports the employment of 9,690 Saudi employees,” Al-Miqil added.
HRDF ramps up Saudi hiring
HRDF ramps up Saudi hiring
Little Farm: A Countryside Escape in the Heart of Jeddah
- The farm provides a pleasant setting for capturing memorable photos, especially when children encounter farm animals for the first time
During weekends, I always like to take my 18-month-old son somewhere that stimulates his senses and curiosity. While searching for family-friendly farms in Jeddah, I discovered Little Farm, located in the Al-Manarat district. With a 4.2 rating, it seemed like a convenient nearby option.
My first impression upon entering was very positive. The venue also hosts children’s themed parties, and the cashier explained the available activities, which cater to children as young as one year old. Visitors can access the animal farm area starting from SR39 for both adults and children.
Older children can participate in interactive experiences such as goat milking, which is offered for an additional fee. Visitors can also explore dedicated rabbit and cat halls, both available at an extra charge. These halls allow children to interact with animals from various breeds in a safe environment, under the supervision of trained animal specialists. Another section of the venue is the vertical farm zone, where families can explore hanging fruits and vegetables and learn about modern farming methods.
I purchased tickets for the animal farm and paid an additional SR25 for a basket of animal feed, which included cattle feed, bird food, clover, grains and lettuce. Visitors can keep the reusable straw basket for future visits. The dark brown basket with a blue base adds to the countryside aesthetic. The farm opens daily to visitors at 4:30 p.m.
The maze-like entrance creates the atmosphere of a secret garden. Visitors are first greeted by a group of large turkeys, loudly announcing their presence. I quickly moved toward the duck pond, as ducks are my son’s favorite birds. We enjoyed feeding them lettuce by the water. Both the ducks and the pond were clean, and the experience was enjoyable enough that my son wanted to stay there for the rest of the visit.
We then moved to the turtle enclosure, where the animals appeared active and eager to be fed. In the goat section, children were allowed to hold a baby goat, which quickly became a highlight for many families. We also fed goats and sheep, the farm indeed provided an engaging and educational experience for children. Ponies, cows, donkeys and geese were also there.
The farm provides a pleasant setting for capturing memorable photos, especially when children encounter farm animals for the first time. The reactions are truly priceless.
The animal shelters were clean and spacious, and the farm offers a good variety of animals. Staff members were helpful and welcoming, and overall prices were reasonable for the experience offered. For more information, check the farm’s Instagram account @littlefarmksa.









