In an industry where only around 18% of train drivers around the world are women, the Haramain High-Speed Railway’s initiative to recruit more female drivers marks a significant advancement in Saudi Arabia’s efforts toward gender equality.
The railway, spanning 453km between Mecca and Medina, is crucial for facilitating pilgrimage travel with two train stations on the route (Jeddah and Al-Sulimaniyah). In the latest recruitment round, 38,000 women aged between 22 and 30 applied for 35 training positions with the local training partner, Saudi Railway Polytechnic (SRP).
Training involves 483 hours of technical instruction and 674 hours of practical training, culminating in a train driving license. This follows the successful 2022 recruitment where 34 women were trained, becoming the first female train drivers in the Middle East. Applicants must be Saudi nationals with required academic qualifications, including proficiency in English.
Over 800 Saudi nationals have been trained for various roles, and women now make up over a third of the operator’s workforce. This aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which promotes economic diversification and modernisation. The railway not only enhances travel efficiency for millions of Umrah and Hajj pilgrims but also showcases Saudi Arabia’s steps towards gender inclusivity in its workforce.
This recruitment drive exemplifies how infrastructural projects can support broader societal goals, providing both employment opportunities and a modernised image of Saudi Arabia to the world.
