While the importance of TVET and skills education programs is emphasized as an effective pathway to provide Jordanians and refugees with technical and personal skills to facilitate their integration into the labor market and enhance their self-reliance, the challenges remain, including limited access to vocational and technical education opportunities which is increasingly recognized as a pivotal tool for addressing youth unemployment and poverty.
Within the framework of the “Investing in the Future: Improving the Livelihoods and Education of Minority Refugee Groups within Society in Jordan” project, implemented by the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) in collaboration with Vision Hope International and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, a meeting was convened by ARDD on Monday, April 29th, 2024 to review the findings of a study conducted by the Renaissance Strategic Center (RSC) titled “Strengthening Self-Reliance: TVET and Skills Education for Youth in Jordan.”
During the meeting, attended by stakeholders from the government sector, civil society, and local and international organizations engaged in protection, education, and economic empowerment, Dr. Maria del Mar Logrono, Senior Advisor of Social Protection and Economic Development at RSC, presented the research outcomes. Dr. Logrono highlighted the comprehensive vulnerabilities faced by Yemeni, Somali, Sudanese refugees, and Jordanians, including challenges related to education, housing, health, and livelihoods, as well as the limited job opportunities available to them.
The study emphasized the necessity of a strong, high-quality system of TVET, from which refugees and Jordanians alike can benefit, in order to enhance the necessary skills for the labor market and increase the efficiency and productivity of the workforce, which contributes to enhancing economic growth.
Regarding youth and TVET, Zainab Al-Khalil, Program Manager at ARDD, emphasized that TVET in Jordan is a crucial priority for young people. She highlighted its significance as an investment in the future and economic empowerment for upcoming generations. Al-Khalil underscored the importance of TVET in equipping youth with skills, tools, and specializations essential for accessing opportunities in the labor market.
Discussing the challenges within the education sector, Nour Al Barghouthi from Vision Hope International emphasized the necessity of adopting a comprehensive approach to education. She stressed the importance of providing continuous learning opportunities, considering the challenges that affect both Jordanians and refugees. Al Barghouthi also emphasized the need for a robust TVET system to enhance skills for the labor market and increase workforce efficiency and productivity.
To consolidate recommendations for improving TVET and skills education for refugees and Jordanians, an opening meeting was followed by a dialogue session moderated by Aseel Shawareb, an Associate Professor at the University of Petra and Program Consultant at ARDD. Dr. Aseel Al Shawareb, Education Program Advisor at ARDD, Ahmad Faheem, Media Advisor at the Technical and Vocational Skills Development Commission (TVSDC), Suzan Qadomi, Executive Officer at KUTC, and Rana Abdul-Latif, Education Programme Manager for TVET and inclusion and diversity in education at UNESCO, contributed to the discussion.
Highlighting the importance of developing technical and professional skills, Faheem emphasized the necessity of enhancing vocational training techniques to prepare trainees capable of meeting the demands of both local and regional labor markets. He stressed the significance of fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors to establish a training system aligned with current and future market needs. This collaboration aims to absorb graduates from vocational training institutes and centers, anticipating future market requirements and tailoring programs accordingly.
In addressing the provision of modern technical educational diploma programs, Qadomi underscored the role of Khwarizmi College, established in 1978, in supplying the market with proficient professional graduates. The college integrates academic education with practical applied training to support students in completing their academic journey while equipping them with technical skills essential for their careers. Qadomi urged all sectors to heed recent studies that align with the labor market’s demand for applied technical programs.
Meanwhile, Abdel Latif, in a special presentation about UNESCO, highlighted global challenges, with 267 million young people aged between 15 and 24 being outside the realms of work, education, or training. He noted that 39% of Jordanian youth aged 16 to 30 are unemployed. UNESCO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, is directing reform plans related to education, technical and vocational training, and skills development, ensuring alignment with national frameworks such as the National Strategy for Human Resources Development 2016-2025, the Economic Modernization Vision, and the National Education Strategy. UNESCO’s strategy focuses on developing skills for individuals to learn, work, and live; fostering skills for inclusive and sustainable economies; and cultivating skills for comprehensive and peaceful societies.
Abdul-Latif further explained the outcomes of the study, highlighting demographic and labor market pressures impacting Jordan’s vocational and technical education and training sector. He noted the limited capacity of the Jordanian economy to generate sufficient job opportunities for new entrants to the labor market. Additionally, small and medium-sized enterprises dominate the private sector with limited capacity to create new jobs. The annual funding allocated to vocational and technical education and training, including teacher training, is insufficient. Moreover, the limited number of vocational schools equipped with modern facilities for practical training necessitates significant investments.
The study and discussions during the meeting yielded several recommendations and proposals aimed at enhancing education, vocational and technical training, and skills development. Emphasis was placed on the importance of supporting civil society organizations, governments, the private sector, and education providers to improve the overall perception of education and training. It was suggested to establish a joint strategy for coordination with donor agencies and prioritize protection in the design and implementation of comprehensive education programs. This would ensure livelihood security for refugees and Jordanians, while also enhancing training opportunities for women and persons with disabilities. Additionally, participants suggested organizing periodic media campaigns to promote education and vocational training.
Recommendations included revamping the education system to align student admission policies with the new “Tawjihi” system and conducting awareness campaigns to inform students and parents about these changes. Recognizing the importance of TVET for refugees, improving the referral system, and allocating scholarships to trainees to facilitate access to educational opportunities were proposed. Participants also advocated for establishing a sustainable financing system to support vocational and technical education and training, expanding enrollment opportunities in vocational education from the tenth grade onwards, and devising mechanisms to increase demand for vocational education among young women, including opening industrial education workshops.
The achievements and experiences of 15 Jordanian and refugee students who recently completed their vocational training program at KUTC were presented during the meeting. These students, including both young men and women, have completed courses in photography, vehicle maintenance, beauty care, business administration, community work, and IT specialization. In particular, Najah Khaled, a young Jordanian woman, expressed her happiness in completing the business management course and getting a job at KUTC.
