Although a majority of Jordanian young people complete college and Jordan's economy is vital and growing, unemployment is estimated at 25-30 percent because of a severe lack of skilled, capable workers.
In 2006, EFE established the Jordan Career Education Foundation (JCEF), a national initiative to create job opportunities for youth through employer-driven training programs. JCEF partners with local businesses to identify their specific needs, then works with national and international academic partners to design tailored courses so that students will have relevant, employable skills.
Today, JCEF offers Jordanian young people training in professional and communication skills, air-conditioning/refrigeration, land surveying and teaching. Upon graduating, students are placed directly in jobs. To date, more than 85% of JCEF's 319 graduates have been placed in jobs.
WORKPLACE SUCCESSEFE's Workplace Success Program trains unemployed university students and recent graduates in the professional and communications skills needed to get and keep a first job. Published by McGraw-Hill and developed by U.S. career education experts in partnership with Jordanian business leaders, the pilot launched in February 2006.
In the highly interactive course, students learn crucial business skills like teamwork, communication, goal-setting, and professional behavior. To date, 319 youth have received Workplace Success training.
HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR-CONDITIONING (HVAC)Workplace Success skills are also being taught to underprivileged youth and orphans who are being trained to be HVAC technicians.
With support from the United States Department of State’s Office of The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), WS has been delivered as part of JCEF’s Vocational Training and Job-Placement Program in air conditioning/refrigeration. This program is a partnership between JCEF and Al-Asalah Pioneers Technology Academy, which provides the hard skills training.
Graduates are being placed in 100 guaranteed jobs.
LAND SURVEYINGJune 2009 marked the conclusion of training of 40 unemployed university graduates to be land surveyors. Graduates have been placed in jobs committed by Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), one of the world's largest construction/engineering firms, which has also contributed funding to the program since its launch in January 2008.
TEACHER TRAININGIn February, JCEF launched a pre-service Teacher Training Program for unemployed education graduates, also with a grant from SF. The first class graduated in June 2008 and have been placed in jobs at private schools in Amman.
