A large number of Indians including engineers, IT and other professionals legally enter Saudi Arabia under the above visas and later change their job titles. They do this as getting this type of visa is much easier.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — All Indian skilled workers seeking to work in Saudi Arabia will have to clear a mandatory skill verification examination prior to the endorsement of employment visas.
The Saudi embassy in India has informed recruiting agencies about the mandatory exam, media reports said on Saturday.
The Saudi government has launched the Skill Verification Program (SVP) exam aimed at enhancing professional manpower quality and preventing unqualified employees from working in the country. The exam will be mandatory for certain individuals seeking employment in Saudi Arabia, covering a range of 19 professions, including electricians, plumbers and welders.
There are also plans to expand the initiative gradually, reports said.
A large number of Indians including engineers, IT and other professionals legally enter Saudi Arabia under the above visas and later change their job titles. They do this as getting this type of visa is much easier.
Saudi Arabia is the largest employer of semi-skilled and unskilled Indian workers.
Launched in 2021, the SVP mandates that professional workers who are already working or planning to work in Saudi have to take both written and practical exams.
Individuals applying for any of the 19 professions given below will have to take the test:
Building electrician, plumber, pipe fitter, automotive electrician welder, underwater welder, flame cutter, drilling rig electrician, electrical equipment assembler, electrical transformer assembler, electrical panel assembler, electrical equipment maintenance worker, electrical cable connector, electrical power lines worker, electronic switchboard assembler, blacksmith, cooling equipment assembler, heating, ventilation and A/C mechanic.
This program was first implemented in Pakistan and now is getting expanded into other countries from where the influx of unskilled workers is high.
