28,000 Applicants For 30 Female Train Driver Jobs In KSA

Web Desk — A job ad for 30 female train drivers in Saudi Arabia attracted 28,000 applicants, demonstrating the scale of demand as the kingdom opens up more opportunities to women.

During an online assessment of academic background and English language skills on Wednesday, Spanish railway operator Renfe said it had reduced the number of candidates by about half, and it plans to filter the rest by mid-March.

After a year of paid training, the 30 selected women will drive bullet trains between Makkah and Madinah.
Renfe, which said it wanted to create opportunities for women in its Saudi Arabian operations, currently employs 80 men as train drivers and has 50 more taking training.
Saudi women’s job opportunities were previously limited to roles such as teachers and medical workers.

Saudi Arabia has been gradually opening driving opportunities to women who had not been allowed to do so until 2018.

With the Saudi crown prince’s drive to open up the Kingdom and diversify the economy, the number of women working has nearly doubled in the last five years, and women are now taking up jobs once reserved for men and migrant workers.