Bakkar calls for expanding Jordan’s youth training programs

Minister of Labor and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Vocational Training Corporation (VTC), Dr. Khaled Bakkar, stressed the importance of developing Jordanian youth skills by providing vocational training programs, especially for groups, who hold stagnant disciplines, to acquire the "necessary and attractive" competencies in the labor market. During a meeting Tuesday, with the VTC Director General, Dr. Ahmed Gharabiyeh, the minister praised the corporation's achievements and future plans in supporting economic and social development to achieve the standards and indicators included in the government's plan and the Economic Modernization Vision. Bakkar also stressed the need to expand vocational training programs to benefit all ages in line with the needs of the local and regional labor market, and continue previous progress achieved through collaborative work. Furthermore, he stressed the need to focus on Jordan's youth of all ages, whether old or new alumni and prioritise women in urban areas to activate their role in society. The minister noted the importance of directing investment to these underprivileged regions by establishing "real" partnerships with government institutions, the private sector, local community institutions and international organizations. For his part, Gharabiyeh said VTC focuses on training young men and women to enter the labor market and works to enhance vocational training, which comes within the corporation's efforts to solve the unemployment crisis and equip Jordanian youth with the skills necessary to join the labor market. He reviewed the VTC priorities for the years 2024-2025, which are based on the Economic Modernization Vision, aimed to enhance its role in developing professional competencies and qualifying the Jordanian workforce. Gharabiyeh also presented a comprehensive presentation on current projects for the year 2024, aimed to raise the training level and enhance professional readiness, including completing implementation of the Royal initiative to develop the culinary arts specialization in 4 governorates of Madaba, Irbid, Jerash and Aqaba. He referred to the skilled recruitment project to enter the German labor market, as well as equipping the center of excellence for jewelry manufacturing and Agriculture Resilience, Value Chain Development, and Innovation (ARDI) Program for Jordan. During the meeting, future projects for the year 2025 were discussed, which will focus on innovation in training activities to keep pace with rapid changes in labor market requirements. Source: Jordan News Agency