Applying the G20 Training Strategy in Jordan (Phase 2)

Social partners discuss sectoral skills governance strategies in Jordan

The G20 Training Strategy aims to enhance the relevance of education and training outcomes to labor market demands and to build the capacity of those working in the TVET sector to develop systems for national and sectoral skills development.

Press release | Amman, Jordan | 09 April 2018
Under the patronage of H.E. Mr. Sameer Saeed Murad, Minister of Labour, the Project held a workshop entitled "Systems of Sectoral TVET Governance" on the 4th and 5th of April, 2018, as part of a partnership project between the ILO and the Russian Federation for “applying the G20 Training Strategy.” The G20 Training Strategy aims to enhance the relevance of education and training outcomes to labor market demands and to build the capacity of those working in the TVET sector to develop systems for national and sectoral skills development.

For the period covering 2018-2019, the Russian-funded project will focus on six industrial sectors, including garment, wood and furniture, printing and packaging, chemicals and pharmaceutical industries, as well as food processing and beverage industries. As a first step, the ILO, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor, the Jordan Chamber of Industry and the General Federation of Jordan Trade Unions, is providing advice on developing the sectoral skills governance system and on promoting social dialogue between relevant stakeholders on the issue of TVET governance. Through this partnership, the Organization aims to increase the capacity of government actors and other stakeholders to implement national policies and strategies in line with identified priorities.

The workshop, which was held at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center in the Dead Sea, included discussions between representatives of tripartite constituents and other stakeholders. During the workshop, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Labor, HE Hani Khlaifat, stressed the need for enhancing the TVET sectoral governance and building partnerships between the public and the private sectors, to have the latter taking the lead in strengthening the country’s TVET sector and help in bringing down stubbornly high levels of unemployment. The SG also expressed his hope that the outcomes of the workshop will contribute to building a system where the TVET sector is able to supply the labour market with a skilled and motivated workforce.

Chairman of Jordan Chamber of Industry, HE Adnan Abu Ragheb highlighted the key role played by the industrial sector in promoting economic growth and in achieving country’s social development goals. He pointed out that the industrial sector accounts for 15 percent of jobs created by the economy, but still faces tremendous challenges related to the relevance of skills amongst Jordanian youth. In this context the Minister Counsellor, Embassy of the Russian Federation in Jordan, Mr Oleg Levin, mentioned during the workshop that the “Applying the G20 Training Strategy” is concerned with introducing dynamic solutions to resolving the impediment of the skills mismatch in the country through the leading role of the private sector.

The coordinator of the ILO's office in Jordan, Mr Patrick Daru, said that the aim of the workshop was to come up with a clear model of sector at the national level. Throughout the workshop, several good international practices were presented and discussed, in order to brainstorm with participants a model that is suitable in the Jordanian context. Towards the end, participants came out with practical recommendations that would contribute to building a system of sectoral skills governance, in order to facilitate the implementation of National Human Resource Development Strategy 2016-2025.