(MENAFN - Arab News) The Kingdom's largest airline food caterer, Saudi Airlines Catering Company (SACC), has recruited 58 females in an employment initiative that seeks to uplift the welfare of women in Jeddah.
As part of the Kingdom's drive to support Saudi female empowerment, SACC has embarked on the process of hiring female employees in four different sectors of the company, according to Hussain Mohammad Al-Shareef, regional manager of SACC at King Abdul Aziz International Airport.
The exclusive operations designed for women are categorized into four sections: Packing and preparation of sky-sales carts, equipment and cutlery, first aid kits and ready materials for Saudi Arabian Airlines, and beverages carts for all the airlines.
"We respect women and welcome their contribution. We want Saudi females to progress and compete with men and to be comfortable in their job environments," said Al-Shareef. He said a budget has been set aside for employing Saudi females, with the average cost of hiring one woman ranging between SR 3,000 and SR 4,000 depending on the job criteria. While the cost range for hiring supervisors is around SR 6,000. Special training is given to help the female employees develop their talents and skills. Managers in charge of the female section have been instructed to ensure that adequate training and orientation is provided to each employee before she commences on the job.
"Women work in a healthy environment here and the working conditions ensure their privacy, according to Islamic guidelines and regulations. This employment initiative by SACC will cut down unemployment among female graduates," said Asma Aslam Al-Hindi, who is in-charge of the female section.
The hiring criteria of SACC gives high preference to Saudi females who are widows, divorcees or orphans, as well as victims of parental separation, as this helps to serve the social cause of the needy.
Al-Shareef said Saudis are being taught English by reputable institutes to ensure they comprehend catering terminology. He believes Saudi women should improve their language skills to facilitate their career advancement.
SACC has also hired young Saudis with speech and hearing
impairments.
"There are currently more than fifteen Saudis with speech and hearing impairments, who are doing an excellent job in food packing and preparing carts for various airlines. Special safety measures have been implemented for their working conditions," said the regional manager. He added that it is their duty as a Saudi company to contribute to the development of the country and in creating employment opportunities for Saudi nationals.
SACC is the Kingdom's largest independent airline caterer, supplying for 38 airlines, including Saudia, every month. Al-Shareef proudly said that this year, the Jeddah unit broke an all time record as the highest meal provider by supplying 98,085 meals in one day.
"When passengers are encapsulated in a metal tube for hours on end, food offers a welcome break from the monotonous plane ride," said SACC Production Manager. "We try to deliver something that will do more than just cure the boredom."
Catering high quality meals annually has earned SACC Jeddah region an international award in the category of excellence in catering quality from Quality and Safe Alliance Inflight Services (QSAI) in 2011, along with a platinum award worldwide and a regional gold award among the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
