Irbid (March 22) – Today, the United States, European Union, Jordanian government, and industry leaders came together to launch the Garment Design & Training Services Center (GSC) in Irbid.  

The $371,000 grant from the United States Agency for International Development will provide garment design courses for youth participants, helping them utilize a range of clothing design and fashion skills needed by small, medium, and large textile manufacturers. The grant is administered through the Jordan Workforce Development Project (WFD).  

The center was inaugurated in the presence of Russell Bauer, Director of USAID’s Office of Economic Development and Energy; Andrea M. Fontana, European Union Ambassador to Jordan; Patrizio Fondi, Italian Ambassador to Jordan; Eng. Adel Tawileh, representative from the Jordan Chamber of Commerce; as well as relevant industry stakeholders and community representatives.

Chief Executive Officer of the Garment Design & Training Services Center, Ameed Ali said, “the center will provide a wide range of training programs for individuals, SMEs, and women’s associations specializing in handicrafts, textile and clothing.”

“The theoretical and practical training programs for individuals include sketching, pattern-making, and other professional courses related to collection design, flat drawing, computer-aided design (CAD), fashion marketing, printing, embroidery, and sewing techniques,” Ali said.

USAID’s Russell Bauer said, “by bringing this center to Irbid, we are helping to mitigate the everyday challenges residents face when searching for quality training that is nearby and affordable.”

WFD maintains a comprehensive portfolio with its grantees; specializing in manufacturing, cosmetology, haute couture, hybrid vehicle technology, awareness workshops, and vocational trainings. Approximately 760 men and women will benefit from projects in East Amman, Irbid, Zarqa, Ma’an, and Tafileh.

The United States government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided foreign assistance from the American people to Jordan for more than 60 years.