About 300 young Jordanians who completed intensive training to fill technician-level positions in several key industrial sectors in the kingdom were honoured at a graduation ceremony.

The ceremony was held at the King Hussein Sports Center / Cultural Palace under the patronage of the Ministry of Labour.

Caterpillar Foundation’s Equip Youth programme and the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Youth for the Future programme funded the training.

The training included heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); industrial maintenance; automotive repair; heavy equipment operation; diesel mechanics; and bookkeeping.

In addition to technical training, graduates received an integrated package of sector-specific instruction in English language and Passport to Success (PTS) life skills to equip them with basic employability and workplace readiness skills. Career guidance and job placement support for the youth were also key elements of the programme.

USAID education director Allyson Wainer said: “Helping Jordan achieve this ambitious agenda requires strong and effective partnerships; the joint program with Caterpillar is a great example onhow organizations can join forces and open doors for our graduates to access  jobs in the industrial and automotive sector.”

“The industrial, general maintenance, and construction sector is a major employer and offers a wealth of job opportunities that we seek to tap into by providing underserved youth with relevant training and internship opportunities,” said Rana Al Turk, International Youth Foundation (IYF) Jordan country director.

“By maximising the impact of employability programmes, we aim to respond to high demand for entry-level positions in these sectors, while providing youth with a comprehensive employability approach that includes the technical training and soft skills they need to enhance their employment prospects and lead successful lives,” she added.

The technical training was provided by Al Asalah Academy (LG), Automotive Technology and Industrial Automation Academy (ATIAA), and Al Quds College (as part of Luminus Group) provided the technical training. Private sector partners included the International Labor Organization, CAT Jordan and the British Council. - TradeArabia News Service