Amman, Dec. 18 (Petra) – Minister of Labor Khaled Bakkar underscored the government's commitment to implementing the Economic Modernization Vision, highlighting the critical role of supporting the private sector in reducing unemployment and driving sustainable growth.

Speaking during a meeting with heads of sectoral skills councils, alongside the President of the Technical and Vocational Skills Development Commission, Raghda Faouri, Bakkar emphasized that effective partnerships with the private sector, guided by clear executive programs and specific timelines, are key to unlocking potential and achieving inclusive economic progress.

Bakkar stressed the importance of fostering investment and increasing employment opportunities for Jordanian youth. He noted that regular and permanent meetings with the sectoral skills councils would be held to monitor work programs and plans, coordinate ministry activities, and address sectoral needs.

Expressing appreciation for the councils’ role in identifying the labor market’s skill demands, Bakkar said their contributions ensure a workforce trained to meet professional standards in priority sectors, preventing the misallocation of resources and human capital. He reaffirmed the government's dedication to removing obstacles faced by the councils and supporting their mission to align training programs with actual market needs.

He highlighted the government’s efforts, through the Technical and Vocational Skills Development Commission, to bolster the councils’ activities by setting regulations for training processes and providing tailored workforce development, thus empowering the private sector.

For her part, Faouri stressed the meeting’s focus on strengthening collaboration with the sectoral skills councils to develop human resources and improve vocational training. She reiterated the councils’ responsibility to propose sectoral policies, develop professional standards, and align training programs with labor market needs.

Faouri reported that the skills councils have prepared and developed 93 professional standards across various sectors, completed nine training curricula, and are finalizing 18 others. Additionally, 813 beneficiaries have been trained under work-based learning initiatives in agriculture, logistics, construction, tourism, and textiles.

She highlighted ongoing efforts to support agricultural projects through agricultural lending programs and the Development and Employment Fund, as well as initiatives to finance training projects in the knitting, logistics, and plastics sectors.

//Petra// AJ

18/12/2024 15:55:22