Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (ILO News) A graduation ceremony was held for forty workers in Erbil who have completed trainings in cultural heritage-related skills under a programme implemented by the ILO and UNESCO, with the support of the European Union.

The ceremony took place on Wednesday (March 8) at the World Heritage Site of the Erbil Citadel, where the ILO and UNESCO are working together to restore, preserve and promote cultural heritage, while mainstreaming decent work through employment-intensive approaches.

Employment-intensive approaches link infrastructure development with employment creation, poverty reduction and local economic and social development. It mainstreams decent work principles, through the promotion of gender equality, social inclusion, skills development, improved working conditions, Occupational Safety and Health and social dialogue.

Through this approach, the ILO, in partnership with Erbil Polytechnic University and Peace and Freedom Organization (PFO), and in coordination with UNESCO and the High Commission of Erbil Citadel Revitalization, has facilitated the recognition of skills for the 40 workers in occupations related to the conservation of historical sites, including stone paving, brick laying using eco-friendly construction material, and tour guide skills relevant to historical sites.

The workers, who include women and men from internally displaced, host and refugee communities, were assessed through the training and received accredited certificates from the Erbil Polytechnic University, which will enhance their employability and boost their opportunities for decent jobs.
  
Similar skills training activities will be held in Duhok and Sulaymaniyah in the coming months.

The collaboration between UNESCO and the ILO falls under UNESCO’s “Supporting Livelihoods Through Cultural Heritage Development” project, which is supported by the European Union (EU) Regional Trust Fund in response to the Syria crisis.