Skills building, mentorship and on-the-job training for Jordan’s young jobseekers
A partnership between UNICEF and the EU to empower youth from vulnerable communities in Jordan with the skills they need to enter the labour market.
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Young people in Jordan ready to enter the labour market face a dilemma – while many are highly educated, the opportunities available to them often fail to match their aspirations.
Mariam, 24, a Syrian refugee, spent two years after graduation looking for her first job.
“Even though my prospects looked grim, I never stopped looking for opportunities. I was determined after all the hard work I had put into my studies".
"I really wanted to make my parents proud after all their support, especially since I am the first university graduate in my family."
Mariam is one of 25 young people engaged in a week-long employability and foundations skills training as part of the EU-supported “Azem” On-the-Job training programme from UNICEF, implemented in partnership with BDC. The programme provides young people, both Jordanian and other nationalities with the skills, resources and opportunities they need to transition from learning to earning.
“The training has been excellent. Thanks to this opportunity, I am now days away from starting my very first job,” said Mariam, smiling excitedly.
A second chance for a successful future
Ali is only 19 years old but he already has several years of experience working unskilled jobs after dropping out of school in the tenth grade. “When my Dad died, I had to become the breadwinner for my family,” explained the softly spoken Ali.
Despite his best efforts, he struggled to make ends meet, earning only 20- 30 Jordanian Dinars (US $28-42) a week. When his mother heard about the open registration for skills building and On-the-Job training through the Azem programme, she urged him to seize the opportunity to apply.
Once Ali was successfully signed up, he participated in a matchmaking event that brought together young people with private sector companies from the service, manufacturing and textile sectors. Following a successful interview with one of the company’s representatives, Ali signed a one-year employment contract.
With the right skills, young people are off to a stronger start
To ensure that young people have a strong start in their new job, the programme first provides them with the employability and foundations skills training to prepare them for their new working environment. During this week-long training, they learn essential employment skills, including time management, communication, teamwork and increased self-awareness.
Equipped with these essential skills, the young people are ready to start their new jobs. The first three months of their one-year employment contract comprises of On-the-Job training, supported by UNICEF, to ensure that they have the technical skills they need to excel. A range of support, including a three-month transportation stipend and a qualified mentor for the first year to help guide them through any challenges they may face, is also provided.
For the Azem programme, collaboration with the private sector is key to support young people’s access to the labour market. Empowering youth through On-the-Job training meets the private sector’s needs for employees with the right skills, while also increasing access to the labour market for vulnerable youth, especially women, and setting them up for future success.
Most importantly, for young people like Mariam and Ali, the fact that their new employer pays their salary from the moment they enter the workplace, even during the initial training months, gives them the financial stability they need to engage in learning and upskilling.
“Being young is about building your future”
For the 25 young people finishing their training and excited to start their new employment in just a few days’ time, this opportunity has brought the energy and hope they need to imagine a more prosperous future.
For Ali, that means using his income to immediately improve the situation of his mother and younger siblings. His greatest hope is that his brothers and sisters will no longer have to drop out of school to support the family and can complete their education:
“Young people face so many challenges these days – even marriage has become a luxury to us. My second priority is to start thinking about myself and my own needs from buying a car to getting married and owning a home".
"It’s time to start building my future."
UNICEF is grateful to the European Union for supporting the Learning to Earning programme, which is helping to empower vulnerable youth with market-driven skills and transitioning them to employment in partnership with ILO and UNHCR.
