(18 January 2023, Wednesday) - Amman - The International Labour Organization (ILO) and AlHussien Bin Abdullah Technical University (HTU) have signed a cooperation agreement to implement an innovation and entrepreneurship training program for young Jordanians and Syrians.

This program, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Training for Young Jordanians & Syrians in Jordan, will provide participants with a mix of technical training, career and business development guidance, and access to essential resourcesto aid their entrepreneurial objectives. It is part of the ILO Program of Support (POS) for the Crisis Response, and is funded by the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration of the US Department of State (PRM).

The agreement was signed by Prof. Ismail Al-Hinti on behalf of AlHussein Technical University, and Mr. Qais Qatamin on behalf of the International Labor Organization, in the presence of several administrative representatives from both organizations present.

During the meeting, Hinti expressed his satisfaction with the agreement, emphasizing his faith in the capabilities of the youth to bring innovative solutions to national challenges by participating in various institutions and decision-making roles. He also stressed on the crucial role of the ILO as a strategic partner and the university’s commitment to maintaining a productive partnership with them.

Mr. Qais Qatamin, Chief Technical Adviser to ILO programme of Support to the Crisis Response, accentuated that Al-Hussein Technical University's bold vision motivated the agreement and the ILO will take all necessary steps to equip Jordanian and Syrian youth for success in the contemporary job market.

HTU is is a non-profit, private Jordanian national university under the Crown Prince Foundation. It primarily aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical applications, while fostering a sense of initiative and creativity among students.

It also offers an educational approach that enhances fundamental and technical skills in various engineering disciplines needed for the labour market The university serves the local community as well, by providing training programs for job-seeking university students. HTU also aims to expand the knowledge of school students from various governorates in Jordan regarding the latest scientific and practical disciplines needed in the labour market.

The ILO’s Programme of Support to the Jordan Compact (POS) was established in 2016, to respond to the ongoing labour market challenges worsened by the conflict in Syria. Through development-focused and employment-focused interventions, It aims to create enabling favorable environment for decent work and job creation.

The project “Formalizing Access to the Legal Labour Market for Refugees and Host Communities in Jordan (Phase IIII)” is funded by the US Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (US PRM) and is one of the projects under the ILO POS . It aims to enhance the access of both Jordanian and refugee job seekers access to the formal labour market and decent work opportunities through the provision of training and certification, business development support, employment services and facilitation of work permits.