--Yemen EFE graduate Reena K. |
The world has a window of opportunity to help Palestinian civil society to establish a new era of peace and security. With the current economic crisis, there are few jobs and minimal income; as unemployment soars, progress and hope are in short supply. Today, EFE’s groundbreaking program provides more than hope; it provides jobs, incomes, and futures for Palestinian youth.
MINI-MBA BUSINESS TRAINING PROGRAMIn consultation with Palestinian business leaders, EFE created its highly innovative Mini-MBA Business Training Program to teach unemployed university graduates the practical skills needed by employers, and to place them in jobs.
As of February 2008, 100 percent of the pilot class from Gaza is employed; the second and third classes are in the job-placement process. Overall, 33% of graduates have been placed in jobs; this rate is due in part to the closed border in Gaza and the delay in obtaining work visas for Palestinians to work abroad.
EFE’s key partner for the Mini-MBA Program is leading Palestinian entrepreneur Samer S. Khoury, EFE Board member and Executive VP of Operations for Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC), one of the world’s largest global engineering/construction firms.
The Mini-MBA Program, designed by the leading University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, uses a rigorous hands-on Marketplace simulation to teach crucial business techniques. In addition to learning marketing, management, finance, analysis, communication, and presentation skills, students complete an intensive class in Business English, designed in response to private-sector demand for English-language ability.
The pilot program was launched in March 2006 at the Islamic University of Gaza, EFE's local academic partner, and is taught by local faculty trained by University of Maryland instructors.
The first Mini-MBA graduates are now thriving as junior accountants at CCC offices in the Gulf and Africa. Others are working as accountants in Gaza. All graduates receive ongoing support, mentoring, and networking through the EFE Alumni Network.
Additional supporters of this program include the Said Foundation (SF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and United Palestinian Appeal, Inc. (UPA).
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAMEFE has launched a Construction Management Program to train unemployed Palestinian engineering graduates for work in the current construction boom in the West Bank and the Middle East.
Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) has committed to hiring or placing in jobs 45 program graduates over three years – a number EFE aims to double with job commitments from the private sector in the West Bank.
This program is being delivered in Ramallah by instructors from the Engineering Association – Jerusalem Center (EAJC), who were trained by professors from Colorado State University – home to America’s largest construction management program – which also developed the curriculum. A first class of CM Program students graduated in August 2008; job placement is underway. The program will be replicated in Hebron and Nablus.
In addition to receiving support from CCC and private donors, the program’s funders include SF and UPA.
Jobs for Hope – AMAL ProgramIn June 2009, Palestinian EFE launched the Jobs for Hope-AMAL training and job-placement program, which incorporates instruction in business English language, EFE’s Workplace Success professional skills program, and EFE’s “Mini-MBA” accounting training. The three-year project, made possible due to a $1.65 million grant from the Drosos Foundation of Switzerland, will provide training and employment opportunities to 450 young Palestinians in the West Bank.
