Amman, Aug. 18 (Petra) – The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Vocational Training Corporation, Future Jordan for Sustainable Development/Future Skills Fund, and the Jordan Hospitality and Tourism Education Company on Monday announced the launch of the "Tourism Sector Training and Employment" initiative, which will provide training for 1,000 young men and women across the Kingdom.

The announcement was made during a workshop held in Amman, attended by the ministry’s secretary general, Fadi Balaawi; assistant director-general for technical affairs at the Vocational Training Corporation, Rafat Al-Sawafin; deputy dean of Ammon Applied University College, Thahab Al-Barari; CEO of Future Jordan for Sustainable Development/Future Competencies Fund, Zaid Arida; and directors of tourism directorates and vocational training centers in the governorates.

Balaawi said the program is aligned with national efforts to develop human resources and to provide Jordanian youth with opportunities for training and qualification in the tourism sector, which he described as one of the Kingdom’s most vital and promising industries.

"This program is an investment in the Jordanian people. It aims to equip our youth with the skills needed to enter the labor market locally and regionally, contributing to the objectives of the Economic Modernization Vision and enhancing Jordan’s position as a distinguished tourist destination," he said.

He added that tourism is a key driver of economic growth and job creation and that the program represents a practical step to prepare a generation of national talent capable of delivering high-quality tourism services that reflect Jordan’s image positively to the world.

Al-Sawafin said vocational training and qualification are essential pillars for advancing the tourism sector and raising service standards. He added that the project is a practical step toward implementing the 2026–2029 phase of the Economic Modernization Vision by empowering Jordanian youth with the skills required in local and regional labor markets, thereby helping reduce unemployment and boosting Jordan’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.

He stressed that the Vocational Training Corporation is working to create an enabling environment that provides real job opportunities and supports sustainable economic growth, noting that tourism and hospitality are among the sectors most in demand for skilled Jordanian workers, both locally and abroad.

Arida said the Future Skills Fund will cover the costs of the first phase of training, provide monthly transportation stipends to trainees, and take part in the selection of beneficiaries in line with the fund’s criteria. The fund will also track graduates in their workplaces after training to ensure sustained benefits.
He pointed to the importance of localizing jobs in the tourism sector, stressing that vocational and technical education enjoys royal support and is central to national efforts to boost youth employment and productivity.

Al-Barari said Ammon Applied University College will play a central role as the academic institution overseeing the training, working with the ministry to implement and monitor the program at every stage.

She said the college’s responsibilities include designing and delivering specialized technical and vocational training programs aligned with sector needs, running the first training phase in its facilities or other designated centers, and overseeing field training during the second phase to ensure continuity and effectiveness.

She added that the college will also help secure job placements for graduates in cooperation with tourism institutions, monitor trainee performance, and provide periodic reports. It will also supply the approved training materials to ensure academic and technical standards are met.

The program aims to enable youth to enter local and regional labor markets by equipping them with specialized knowledge and skills in hospitality and tourism, while supporting employment in tourism establishments, empowering women and people with disabilities, and raising the quality of services provided to visitors.

Training courses offered include assistant chef, assistant pastry chef, pastry and bakery maker, front office and reception, assistant waiter/barista, and hotel room attendant/laundry operator. Courses range from 300 to 600 training hours.

Trainees will go through three phases: theoretical and practical training at vocational centers, field training in tourism establishments, and probationary employment leading to permanent jobs.

Graduates will receive certified professional certificates from the Ministry of Labor, in addition to transportation stipends. Training costs will be covered upfront and repaid in easy installments once employed, with fees set at JD700 for 300-hour courses and JD1,310 for 600-hour courses.

Applicants must be Jordanian, aged 18–30, and sign an income-based repayment agreement. Incentives include monthly transportation stipends, certified professional licenses from the Ministry of Labor, and financial support for training.

The initiative has three stages. The first (3–6 months) involves training at Ammon College facilities or certified centers under its supervision, aimed at equipping participants with the skills for targeted tourism jobs. The second (3 months) provides workplace training through the Vocational Training Corporation and the Jordan Hospitality and Tourism Education Company, under the ministry’s supervision. The third (3 months) places trainees in probationary jobs at partner tourism institutions, serving as a pathway to permanent employment and assessment.

The ministry noted that spaces are limited and urged youth to apply quickly via the following link:
þ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFqGonAh8whG4A_EAEY2q9w0OqQVpCQCrrZ4eQqAojQBNB0A/viewform?pli=1

It said the initiative opens wide opportunities for work in one of the fastest-growing and most labor-intensive sectors in Jordan and the region.

//Petra// AF

18/08/2025 21:44:06