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Workforce Development Project to provide 25,000 new jobs

By Laila Azzeh - Aug 06,2015 - Last updated at Aug 06,2015

Labour Minister Nidal Katamine and US Ambassador to Jordan Alice G. Wells attend a ceremony in Amman on Thursday to launch the Workforce Development Project (Petra photo)

AMMAN — In a bid to overcome imbalances in the labour market, especially those due to lack of training, the Workforce Development Project (WFD) was launched on Thursday.

The $40 million
USAID-funded programme seeks to provide 25,000 new jobs, or improve the conditions of those already created, over a five-year period, according to organisers.

Launched in cooperation with the Labour Ministry, the project will also work to improve the institutional capacity of 12 vocational training centres in six governorates — Amman, Zarqa, Irbid, Tafileh, Maan and Aqaba — over the course of its first year. 

Officials stressed the importance of the project, with the unemployment rate of young Jordanians among the highest globally, standing at 30.6 per cent, double the average international rate.

The project addresses the challenges and barriers, both physical and social, that inhibit the participation of women, youths and vulnerable groups in Jordan's labour market, according to USAID.

"Some job seekers lack the technical and vocational skills that Jordan's market demands and while significant economic progress has been made in Jordan, significant work remains needed in job creation and workforce readiness," US Ambassador to Jordan Alice G. Wells said at a ceremony to launch the WFD.

She highlighted the important role of the newly established National Committee for Human Resources and Development, which His Majesty King Abdullah issued directives to form earlier this year.

"It [the committee] is expected to create a 10-year plan that clearly outlines educational and manpower needs," said the ambassador.

"Through the WFD, USAID will assist the Kingdom's vision in developing technical education for a better economy… the goal of the WFD is also to provide the labour market with information and mentoring that help job seekers indentify job opportunities," Wells added.

In addition, the project will also strengthen internship programmes, and help identify innovative solutions to logistical challenges, such as transportation and childcare, according to the diplomat.

Labour Minister Nidal Katamine, who attended the launch on behalf of Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, noted that the project will play a vital role in mitigating the impact of the labour market crisis brought about by the Syrian refugee influx into the Kingdom, especially in the northern region.

Highlighting the ministry's efforts that have managed to improve the distribution of development outcomes since the start of the year, Katamine said the government has funded the establishment of 15 income-generating projects in poverty pockets.

"This initiative focused on recruiting women and it has provided them with more than 3,400 work opportunities," he added.

According to USAID, Jordanian women comprise half of Jordan's population and despite achieving gender parity in education, their economic participation remains one of the lowest rates worldwide at 13.55 per cent.

WFD will work with the public and private sectors, and civil society organisations to encourage more Jordanian women to enrol in vocational training programmes and join the workforce.

WFD Director William Thompson said the programme will seek safe and decent work conditions through the enforcement of occupational safety and health standards.

"We will target those populations that might not necessarily receive targeted assistance on a regular basis. We are establishing regional offices to work directly with local authorities and the private sector to fully support sustainable training that leads to jobs" he said.

During the ceremony, a panel of experts provided their outlook on the challenges facing the labour market and the gap between education outcomes and market needs, especially in light of the absence of sound technical training.

Issam Zabalawi, former minister of higher education, noted that each year, 70,000 university students graduate with a degree in business administration, while the local market only needs around 15,000.

"There are 30 universities in Jordan teaching 650 specialisations that are basically the same," he said.

On the other hand, Jordanian National Commission for Women Secretary General Salma Nims noted that the unemployment rate among Jordanian women is 22 per cent.

 

"The reality of the job market does not protect women. The high cost of transportation and the lack of crèches for their children make them voluntarily refrain from work or prefer to be employed in positions that are by far below their qualifications," she said.

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