Bab Rizq Jameel, part of Community Jameel Saudi, celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of Saudi men and women in the “Training Ending with Employment in the Coffee Sector Program.” The graduation ceremony coincided with the national campaign to celebrate the inaugural Social Responsibility Day in Saudi Arabia.
The program launched during the Year of Saudi Coffee 2020, under the patronage of the Culinary Arts Commission of the Saudi Ministry of Culture. Due to the program’s great results, the second edition will be launched in partnership with the Arabian Coffee Institute, and will include 40 new participants to be trained in several cities across the Kingdom.
The graduation ceremony was held in Jeddah at the Nafisa Shams Academy Hall, in the presence of Dr. May Taibah, member of the board of trustees at Community Jameel Saudi and director of Bab Rizq Jameel; Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar, general manager of entrepreneurship and social initiatives at Community Jameel Saudi; Abdalla Aly Taleb Abd Elrahman Abou Anza, manager for social initiatives at Community Jameel Saudi, along with the graduates and their families. Also present were representatives of the program’s partners, including the Arab Coffee Institute, Zed Café, and Overdose.
The program, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, including the Human Capability Development Program and the National Transformation Program, contributes to improving the readiness of young people to enter the labor market. The program works to support reducing the unemployment rate to 7 percent, celebrating the authenticity of Saudi coffee, and enhancing the growth and global competitiveness of the Kingdom’s coffee industry. Embodying the essence of social responsibility in the Kingdom, the program supports the transition from charitable giving to a more sustainable contribution, creating a more profound and lasting impact on society. This aligns with the Kingdom’s recognition of Social Responsibility Day, established by the Council of Ministers on Nov. 22, 2022, to be celebrated annually on March 23.
During the three-month training course, participants received theoretical and practical training on the various aspects of coffee preparation at the Arabian Coffee Institute, from roasting and brewing to serving and customer relations.
The training also focused on entrepreneurial principles relating to the coffee industry, with workshops on customer service, covering topics such as customer satisfaction, sales skills, and the use of technology in cafes. The program initially trained 40 participants in coffee preparation, with graduates receiving certification from the Arabian Coffee Institute and employment opportunities made available through collaborations with partners seeking qualified Saudi talents.
Taibah said: “The graduation ceremony of the first cohort of the program coincided with Saudi Arabia’s first Social Responsibility Day, demonstrating the great potential of nonprofit and private sectors to benefit society and boost economic growth. The first edition of the program was highly successful, attracting a select group of passionate young Saudis, training and placing them in coffee-focused companies. In the second cycle, we are expanding the program’s reach to a broader range of beneficiaries and stakeholders. To achieve this, we will support participants in advancing their careers in the coffee sector, preparing them for positions such as barista president, general supervisor and café business manager.”
Ghaffar said: “Community Jameel Saudi has been committed to creating suitable employment opportunities for young Saudi men and women since its establishment. This effort has been instrumental in improving the lives of community members and strengthening the national economy across various sectors. We take pride in witnessing the success of these ambitious young individuals as they contribute to the growth and development of the Saudi coffee industry, enhancing its local content.”
