IRBID (November 10) – The USAID Jordan Workforce Development (WFD) Project, in cooperation with the Al Hassan Industrial Zone Investors Association and the Irbid Chamber of Industry in Ramtha, launched an initiative today to encourage local community members to work in industrial occupations. The initiative, entitled “Proud to Be a Craftsman” aims to increase employment opportunities for youth and women in the private sector. 

During the initiative, job seekers will learn about their rights and working conditions. WFD will provide support to employers as they screen and select qualified labor, and WFD will provide soft skills training later in the year for those selected to work.

This Initiative is part of a public private partnership that endeavors to promote occupational jobs by partnering with key stakeholders in the Governorate including: The Al Hassan Industrial Zone, The Social Security Corporation, Employment Directorates, Princess Basma Centers, The We Are All Jordan Youth Commission ‘Kulna AlOrdon’, and the Justice Center for Legal Aid.

William Thompson, the project’s Chief of Party, said that WFD is working on training and facilitating the placement of at least 300 job seekers within the coming year in Irbid. The project is also focusing on improving work place environment, enhancing occupational safety and health inside factories, decreasing rates of employees’ turnover, and changing the image of vocational work.

The Chairman of the Al-Hassan Industrial Zone Investors Association, Emad Al Naddaf, mentioned that the Association is encouraging employers to replace foreign labor with Jordanians by upgrading the skills of Jordanian job seekers and equipping them with essential technical and soft skills. The Irbid Chamber of Industry Chairperson, Hani Abu Hassan, pointed out that the Chamber plays a significant role in educating job seekers about the requirements and demands of the labor market to facilitate their employment. 

The goal of the Jordan WFD Project is to create a competitive, demand-driven system that leads to increased private sector employment, especially for women, youth and those living at or below the poverty line in six governorates: Amman/East Amman, Zarqa, Irbid, Tafilah, Ma’an and Aqaba.