45 unemployed job seekers mobilised after training in Jordan

While levels of unemployment have increased for Jordanians, the Syrians have been struggling to enter the labour market. Syrian refugees face the added challenge of needing to obtain a work permit. This, however, is only possible under certain conditions, such as finding an employer and being able to provide required paperwork. In addition, several professions have been closed to migrants and refugees due to the strained labour market situation. Many refugees therefore are not able to work in the profession they are qualified for. Given the facts and figures, the current situation itself is evidence enough for the urgent need of actions that must be implemented in the region.

The Qudra Programme aims to address this situation by providing vulnerable Jordanians and Syrians with the opportunity to participate in accredited vocational training programmes. Due to the restricted occupations for Syrian refugees, Qudra ensures that training programmes qualify participants for occupations that are open to refugees.

Following the proposal of The German Association for Adult Education (DVV International), GIZ (The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, GmbH) along with Family & Childhood Protection Association in Irbid implemented an extensive vocational training covering a broad range of topics from information sharing to employment. 

The actual implementation plan for the training included 5 phases in total. The first phase included promoting the project through advertisements, social media networks, conducting meetings and interviews with the target audience, in addition to coordinating with vocational training institution to agree on work and cooperation mechanisms. The second phase was composed of the implementation of employment guidance and orientation sessions.

Qudra also takes into consideration the specific needs of women and men by providing training programmes both in traditionally male and female occupations as well as in new fields that can easily be accessed by all. Therefore, the third phase was designed as a referral of the participants to register in the vocational training institution in three specialties: pastry and dessert-making, cellular maintenance, sales and marketing. 

After over 36 days of training, the 4th phase involved trainees in an intensive practical application programme in cooperation with employers. Following this fruitful engagement of job-seekers with employers, the participants attended an entrepreneurship skills training for 10 days at the Family and Childhood Protection Society (FCPS), in addition to conducting evaluation, networking and profession practice exam as the final and 5th phase of the programme.

There are several points for this programme allowing it to stand out amongst others. To name some of those:

• Tribal and remote orientation

• Suitable training time duration for the participants

• Continuous field supervision

• Availability of practical implementation opportunities in existing projects

Moreover, as strategy for a more sustainable approach, the Qudra training programme has provided follow-up and support by the facilitators and oriented the vocational training content according to the needs of the Jordanian labour market as well as to the participants’ desires. 

The training was carried out based on the approved training curricula, certified by the largest governmental training institution, the Vocational Training Corporation (VTC), directly affiliated to the Ministry of Labour (MoL) of Jordan.

_{*UNHCR’s Grandi hails Jordan’s job scheme for Syrian refugees, Charlie Dunmore, https://www.unhcr.org, 12 February 2018}