Vocational training boosts jobs and futures for youth in Jordan

AMMAN (ILO News) – In a celebration of resilience, achievement, and opportunity, more than 400 young men and women—among them Jordanians and Syrian refugees—graduated from a vocational training programme aimed at strengthening employment prospects and building sustainable livelihoods. The graduation ceremony brought together programme partners, donors, and proud family members.
The initiative, titled “Supporting Jordanian and Syrian Refugees’ Access to Employment Through Market-Relevant and Competency-Based Vocational Training in Jordan”, was implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in partnership with the Jordanian Luminus Technical University College (LTUC) and funded by the European Union through the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis – the EU Madad Fund.

© ILO

© ILO

“Today is more than a graduation. It is a celebration of dignity, opportunity, and the resilience of youth who refuse to be left behind,” said Raluca Raduta, Social Protection Project Manager at the EU Delegation to Jordan. “The EU Madad Fund has been a bridge from crisis response to sustainable futures, and we are proud to support young people in accessing education, upgrading their skills, and building confidence to meet evolving labour market demands.”

The event featured opening remarks by Amal Mowafy, ILO Jordan Country Coordinator, who emphasized the programme’s inclusive and practical approach.

© ILO

© ILO

“Through the generous contribution of the European Union, we invested all efforts to empower host communities and refugees in need and support their social integration. We celebrate today the graduation of hundreds beneficiaries from training courses that equipped them with valuable skills and knowledge to help them enter the labour market and initiate their careers”. She added, “Moving forward, fostering strong partnerships with the private sector and active engagement of the government are crucial to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth across the country. Beyond today’s achievements, we remain committed to contribute to a better inclusive labour market that upholds the principles of decent work for all and hope to reach and empower even more beneficiaries as we continue to expand our efforts in partnership with our constituents.”
Mowafy also shared a personal story, recalling her own journey of education through a similar grant, underscoring the transformative power of such opportunities.

© LTUC

© LTUC

The graduates’ newly-gained skills in sectors such as hospitality, manufacturing, beauty and digital services are certified by Jordan’s Technical and Vocational Skills Development Commission (TVSDC). Following this graduation, they will further receive post training support including career guidance on market opportunities, referral to job opportunities or business development services, linkages to available ILO employment support services, and job placement support promoting further their smooth transition to decent employment and guidance on possible options for Syrians in case of returning to Syria.

Dargam Soudi, representing LTUC, expressed gratitude to the Government of Jordan, the EU, the ILO, the UN and TVSDC for their continued support to vocational training in the country. He highlighted the importance of practical, market-driven education models. He emphasized the critical need to promote decent work opportunities for all—particularly youth, women, and refugees.

The majority of the graduates are from the Jordanian capital Amman and Greater Amman, followed by the governorate of Zarqa just north of the capital, the north-western governorate of Irbid, and other governorates across the country. The graduates also include three men and nine women with disabilities, reflecting the programme’s inclusive approach to skills development and economic empowerment.

© LTUC

© LTUC

“What we learned wasn’t just sewing — it was a lesson in confidence, in dreaming big, and in believing that we all deserve a second chance. This graduation is not an end, but a new beginning for all of us.” Said Jumana Aljaouni, a 35-year-old Syrian programme graduate from sewing course.

Osama Al-Abd Al-Daim, 22 year-old (age), a Jordanian graduate from social media course, reflected on the journey: “We leave this programme with more than just technical skills. We carry an inspiring human experience and a strong belief that continuous learning is our path to a better professional future.”

The EU Madad Fund, established in 2014, is a key instrument of the European Union’s response to the Syrian crisis. It supports host countries like Jordan in providing access to education, protection, and employment opportunities for both refugees and local communities.

The event also marked the launch of the second phase of the programme, to be implemented by the ILO in collaboration with Luminus under the Netherlands-funded PROSPECTS partnership that works to improve the access of host communities and forcibly displaced people to education, social protection and decent work. The second phase aims to reach an additional 500 beneficiaries across eight governorates in Jordan through work-based learning programmes and post-training employment support.

The event concluded with the awarding of certificates and heartfelt congratulations to the graduates from family, friends and guests.