--Gaza EFE graduate Reham J. |
EFE has established a local Egyptian foundation, EFE-Egypt, to give local youth the opportunity to succeed while helping businesses gain the staff they need. EFE-Egypt partners with businesses to design training programs and employ graduates in high-growth industries. With support from the United States Department of State’s Office of The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), www.mepi.state.gov – along with local corporate partners and donors – we are launching programs for the textiles and banking industries in 2009.
Textiles Merchandiser Training Program (MTP)
There are currently over 100,000 positions unfilled in Egypt’s bourgeoning textile industry, which is growing at a rate of 30% per year. In partnership with Gherzi Consulting, a Swiss firm specializing in the textile industry, EFE-Egypt has begun delivering courses to train Textile Merchandisers - young professionals who serve as the factory liaisons with clients, overseeing production and quality assurance. The courses are a collaborative effort between Gherzi and EFE-Egypt. Gherzi provides 250 hours of technical training in the fundamentals of textiles and the merchandiser position, and EFE-Egypt supplements this with 150 hours of Workplace Success professional skills training. This includes training on customer service, professionalism, leadership, and teamwork, all critical qualifications for merchandisers entering the field. This program is made possible by support from the United States Department of State’s Office of The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), www.mepi.state.gov, with contributions from employing factories. By the end of 2009, 150 students will have been trained as Textile Merchandisers.
The first group of students to complete the Textile Merchandiser Training Program (MTP) presented their work to potential employers during an August 19th, 2009 graduation ceremony. All of the graduates expressed an interest in staying involved with EFE-Egypt as mentors for subsequent classes. All MTP alumni will be asked to voluntarily donate 5% of their monthly salary to EFE-Egypt in order to help sustain the programs. The next MTP will commence in October 2009.
Banking Program
The financial sector in Egypt is booming and local and international banks are growing exponentially, some opening dozens of branches each month. Unfortunately, the pool of qualified employees remains small, creating an immense demand for motivated and capable young professionals at the entry and mid-management levels. After conducting a needs assessment in the banking industry, it was apparent that the Workplace Success program would be appropriate to train unemployed youth to become junior staff bank professionals. With MEPI support, and a partnership with the Egyptian Banking Institute (EBI), EFE-Egypt is set to deliver the Workplace Success program. EBI will provide five days of technical training for individuals to become branch professionals. Initial funding will allow for the training of 100 students.
To date, 21 participants have passed the English language exam and will commence banking training with Banque Misr in the coming weeks.
Prospective Programs
Nursing
Egypt, like much of the Middle East and North Africa, faces an alarmingly high nursing shortage. Over 300,000 unfilled positions for nurses exist in Egypt alone. Nursing careers offer unemployed college graduates long-term job security and competitive wages.
EFE, in partnership with the U.S. Simmons College School of Health Studies, has developed the International Nursing Career Program (INCP) ) to target this high demand for qualified nurses. The program will provide unemployed university graduates with a second, accelerated Bachelor’s degree in Nursing after two years of rigorous study.
EFE is currently exploring opportunities and partnerships to launch this program.
