Saudi Construction Boom Creating New Jobs

July 8, 2015 (MMD Newswire) — Almost a quarter of the population in the Middle East and North Africa is unemployed—the highest of any region in the world (Gallup survey: 2012). While this number affects the region’s economy & GDP, many also speculate that this high level of unemployment is also fueling demand for economic change.

Like college graduates around the world, young adults in the Middle East are seeking steady, fair-paying jobs to bring financial stability to their lives and allow them to start families and support them. , a 2013 graduate of the American University in Cairo, has been looking for work since graduation. “Everyone in my family works in a government job, which is what I hope to do also, but there is nothing available.” Ahmed’s story is identical to many young graduates throughout the Middle East searching for employment; the recent construction boom is providing a solution.

caption for photo. “International Trust Construction Vice Chairman Hameed Al Banawi”

Uniquely, more than half of the unemployed young people in Egypt, Tunisia and Jordan were seeking government jobs; only 10% were looking for private sector roles. A multi-million dollar, multinational company, International Trust Construction (ITC) is just one of the companies working to change that. A recent recipient of multiple large-scale construction contracts in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, ITC is planning to use this as an opportunity to change the perception of the private sector and the viability of its long-term careers. “As a company, we are excited to be part of the solution creating jobs for young people. Saudi Arabia alone has $1.7 trillion in planned construction projects coming online between 2014 and 2017; this is a huge opportunity for private companies and their employees,” says Vice Chairman Hameed Al Banawi.

“When the young people of a region are unemployed, the economy becomes stagnant and the people marginalized; ITC plans to teach its employees how to innovate and be thought leaders. We intend to provide thousands of jobs for college-educated men and women throughout the Middle East and North Africa.”

The construction industry offers stable work for engineers and day laborers; as well as opportunities for accountants, architects, HR professional, project managers, among others. As private corporations become more inventive and tech-savvy, they will attract and retain the young talent for whom they are vying. Private corporations are becoming more innovative and inviting the unemployed to shift their focus to a more sustainable future.

David Whiting

david.whiting@edelman.com

212-446-1890

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