Key Moments
Who does it work for? Education to Employment Programs in Jordan
MIT OpenCourseWareKey Moments
Education for Employment Jordan empowers refugees with job skills, focusing on women and adaptable solutions like digital freelancing.
Key Insights
EFE-Jordan's demand-driven approach tailors training to market needs, linking youth with employment opportunities.
The Jordanian Ministry of Labor facilitates refugee employment through flexible work permits and occupational group classifications.
Digital freelancing programs offer new income avenues, particularly post-COVID-19, bridging geographical and regulatory gaps.
Both Syrian and Jordanian youth face employment challenges, highlighting the need for adaptable and innovative livelihood solutions.
EFE-Jordan prioritizes women's empowerment, with over 65% of beneficiaries being women, achieving an 85% job placement rate for graduates.
The French Development Agency (AFD) actively funds projects supporting vulnerable populations, including refugees, with a new focus on women's economic participation.
INTRODUCTION TO EDUCATION FOR EMPLOYMENT (EFE)
The session introduces Education for Employment (EFE), a non-profit organization established in 2006, as a key player in youth employment in the MENA region. EFE operates a network across several countries, including Jordan, and has trained over 130,000 youth, linking them with private sector job opportunities. Their approach is demand-driven, assessing market needs to develop relevant curricula and provide job placement services. EFE Jordan specifically focuses on empowering youth, with over 65% of its beneficiaries being women, and boasts an 85% job placement rate for its graduates.
EFE-JORDAN'S WORK WITH REFUGEES
EFE-Jordan has a significant mission to support refugees, particularly Syrians, by providing them with skills for decent work. This effort is crucial given Jordan's regional context and the large refugee population. The organization adapts its programs to navigate legislation, finding solutions for refugee employment where certain sectors might be closed. Their core tracks include job training and placement, self-employment initiatives, and a digital freelancing program, highlighting their commitment to diverse income generation strategies.
THE FRENCH DEVELOPMENT AGENCY'S (AFD) SUPPORT
The French Development Agency (AFD) has been active in Jordan for many years, and since 2017, has had a dedicated grant window to support vulnerable populations, including Syrian refugees. Initially, AFD focused on basic services and infrastructure but later assessments revealed employment as the primary challenge. AFD has partnered with EFE to offer job placement and skills training, launching a new program specifically focused on women's empowerment and participation in the job market, aiming to reduce inequalities.
MINISTRY OF LABOR'S INITIATIVES FOR REFUGEE EMPLOYMENT
The Jordanian Ministry of Labor plays a crucial role in facilitating refugee employment by adapting policies and procedures. Efforts include exempting refugees from work permit fees and establishing flexible work permit types, allowing movement within occupational groups. The Ministry leads the livelihood sector within the Jordan Response Plan to the Syrian Crisis, aiming to ensure decent work and economic opportunities for both refugees and Jordanians. This involves strengthening vocational education and training programs in line with labor market demands.
ALUMNI EXPERIENCES: ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE
Two EFE alumni, Yamama and Salaam, shared their personal journeys. Yamama, a Syrian refugee, faced initial difficulties in Jordan but found opportunity through EFE's beauty training, becoming a nail technician. Salaam, a pharmacy graduate frustrated by limited job prospects in her field due to refugee status, utilized EFE's self-employment training to develop and market natural beauty products, blending her pharmaceutical knowledge with business skills. Both emphasized the importance of perseverance and making the best of their circumstances.
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS: DIGITAL FREELANCING AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving job markets, EFE piloted a digital freelancing program, providing training in virtual job identification, platform profiling, and technical skills like graphic design. This program, supported by donors like AFD, offers a vital income stream for refugees and Jordanians. EFE also collaborates with UNHRC and other organizations to reach applicants and provides essential support, including mentorship, to navigate the risks and opportunities of online work and ensure decent work environments.
NAVIGATING JOB MARKET LIMITATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES
While many economic sectors in Jordan are generally open to refugees, specific professions like doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, and administrative roles remain closed due to high unemployment among Jordanians. Sectors like construction, agriculture, and industry offer more opportunities. EFE's job placement rate is around 80%, with a 70% retention rate, which can vary by sector. The emphasis on self-employment and freelancing provides alternative pathways for income generation where formal employment is restricted.
Mentioned in This Episode
●Software & Apps
●Organizations
●Concepts
●People Referenced
Common Questions
Education for Employment (EFE) is a non-profit organization established in 2006 that trains youth, including refugees, in Jordan and links them with job opportunities. Their approach is demand-driven, focusing on market needs and providing both work readiness and technical skills training.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
Executive Director of Normal and co-host of the migration summit.
Partnerships and Business Development Manager at EFE, involved in interviewing alumni.
Syrian refugee alumna of EFE programs in Jordan, sharing her experience in beauty technician training.
Deputy Country Director of AFD in Jordan, discussing AFD's programs and partnership with EFE.
Head of the Syrian Crisis Response Unit at the Ministry of Labor in Jordan, discussing labor market policies for refugees.
Syrian refugee alumna of EFE programs in Jordan, sharing her experience with self-employment in beauty products.
A program offered by EFE, which Salam utilized to start her own beauty product business.
A field studied by Salam, but found to be closed for refugees to work in Jordan.
A profession Yamama trained for through EFE and now practices.
Yamama's profession after completing EFE's beauty training program.
An online work model EFE trains youth in, especially after COVID-19, enabling work across borders.
UN agency managing refugee databases; EFE partners with them to reach potential applicants.
Entity that might discuss integrating freelancers into national social protection systems.
Organizer of the Migration Summit.
Co-host of the Migration Summit.
A significant group EFE, AFD, and the Ministry of Labor focus on in Jordan.
Organization co-hosting the Migration Summit.
Co-host of the Migration Summit.
Co-host of the Migration Summit.
A non-profit organization that trains youth and links them with job opportunities, with a focus on refugees in Jordan.
Government body in Jordan responsible for labor market policies, including those affecting refugees.
Country where EFE has an affiliate office.
University where Salam studied Pharmaceuticals.
Organization whose definition of decent work is considered when discussing online freelancing.
Country hosting a significant refugee population, where EFE and AFD implement their programs.
Country where EFE has an affiliate office.
Country where EFE has an affiliate office.
Country where EFE has an affiliate office.
Country where EFE has an affiliate office.
Country where EFE has an affiliate office.
Region where EFE affiliate network operates.
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