East Amman (October 3) – Today, the United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), opened the Vocational Training Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Training in Marka. The institute, with support of USAID and the Employment, Technical and Vocational Education Training Fund (E-TVET) underwent an extensive renovation. Creating a specialized training institute for hospitality and tourism training in Marka allows the Vocational Training Institute to increase the number of students, offer a variety of programs and provide training based on best international practices.

The institute was inaugurated in the presence of his Excellency the Minster of Labor Ali Al-Ghazawi, USAID Acting Assistant Administrator Charles North, USAID Jordan Mission Director Jim Barnhart, Acting Director General of the Vocational Training Corporation Hani Khleifat, and key industry and community representatives.

After touring the new facilities, the Minster of Labor commended the efforts exerted in developing training facilities that attract students to engage in hospitality training programs. “While the tourism sector shows a promising future, Jordan needs to be well prepared in this sector. We are pleased to see the new workshops match the standards of the local market and that students will acquire labor market skills.”

USAID Acting Assistant Administrator Charles North said, “Tourism and hospitality in Jordan make a significant contribution to the country's economy. The skills acquired by this institute’s graduates would match the growing demand for well trained and highly capable food service and hospitality specialists. USAID remains committed to supporting and facilitating such a vital initiative.”

USAID additionally entered a partnership with Americana Jordan Group by signing a Memorandum of Understanding that aims to secure advanced training opportunities for 2,000 Jordanian youth over a three year period.  The newly renovated Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Training in Marka will provide the foundational three-month theoretical training program to students and give them first hand practical training in Americana Jordan Group owned restaurants.

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.