RIYADH: The Saudi Human Resources Development Fund, known as Hadaf, announced that it has supported the employment of 277,000 male and female citizens in private sector institutions from January this year until September. Hadaf noted that during that same period, SR3.75 billion ($1 billion) was spent on support programs. The fund offers a number of initiatives and programs to support institutions across different sectors and the training, employment and empowerment of citizens. These programs include Tamheer, an on-the-job training program; the 9/10ths startup accelerator, which provides early-stage mentorship and funding; Wusool, which promotes women’s participation in the workplace through subsidized transportation; the child support program Qurrah; and other initiatives to localize sectors in the labor market. Last month, Hadaf and the Diriyah Gate Development Authority signed a memorandum of understanding within the framework of enhancing cooperation in the area of human resource development, supporting, training and recruiting Saudi women and men.