500 male and female chefs graduated

RIYADH — The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) hosted the graduation and employment ceremony of 500 male and female chefs at the King Fahd Cultural Center in Riyadh. They were provided with the knowledge and practical experience necessary to enter the job market. The chefs, who were graduated with “Diploma in Culinary Arts Management” in a ceremony held in the presence of approximately 2000 guests including partners, entrepreneurs and families of the graduates. The diploma is one of the projects supported by the CDF, and one of the programs of the Higher Institute for Tourism and Hospitality. The ceremony celebrated the graduation of 500 trainees from the two-and-a-half-year long employment-oriented training program, implemented in Riyadh, Al-Baha and Jazan. The program aimed to develop Saudi talent in the culinary arts sector, equipping them with the knowledge and practical experience necessary to enter the job market. The program provides diplomas accredited by the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF), along with direct employment contracts with leading hospitality establishments in the Kingdom, including the Radisson Blu and Marriott hotels.The ceremony included honoring outstanding graduates, the signing of several agreements between the institute and hospitality establishments and hotel groups, and concluded with honoring the partners who contributed to the program’s success. This program is part of the CDF’s support for cultural projects and its empowerment of entrepreneurs and creatives. As the center of excellence and financial empowerment for the cultural sector in the Kingdom, the CDF is also part of its efforts to maximize the economic and social impact of the cultural sector by increasing the contribution of cultural projects to the GDP and quality of life, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030. Addressing the gathering, Basil Al-Aloula, CEO of Business at the CDF, emphasized the Fund’s commitment to supporting the development of cultural talents and competencies. He also highlighted the program’s economic impact, noting that it resulted in the employment of all trainees and added SR76 million to the GDP.