Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Jordan: Initiative to train women in non-traditional professions

AMMAN (Petra) - The Jordan Forum for Business and Professional Women (JFBPW) on Monday signed an agreement to provide 5,000 young women with training in non-traditional professions.

The agreement, signed by the Labour Ministry National Training and Employment Project (NTEP) and the Middle East Complex for Engineering, Electrical and Heavy Industries (MEC), seeks to empower women entering the labour market.

Under the agreement, selected young women will receive training in electronic, mechanical and technical professions including welding, electrical engineering and electric equipment maintenance, according to organisers.

JFBPW official Senator Wijdan Talhouni Saket said the agreement is in line with national initiatives seeking to employ more Jordanian women, which is currently being implemented by the forum in cooperation with the Planning Ministry.

Commenting on yesterday’s agreement, she said the forum seeks to establish partnerships with companies to enroll women in the workforce, highlighting women’s role in sustainable development.

The forum will carry out awareness campaigns, field visits and meetings to attract some 5,000 female job seekers to join the MEC training and employment programme, organisers indicated.

The six-month training programme targets women aged 18-36 who have completed their secondary education.

In pursuance of the agreement, trainees will receive a monthly stipend of JD150 throughout the training period and a salary of JD180 once signing a work contract. Participants will also receive health insurance and social security, among other benefits.

To reduce unemployment, particularly in remote areas, the Ministry of Labour launched its “Satellite Units” project earlier this year, NTEP Director Hisham Rawashdeh noted.

Under the project, six factories are expected to establish sub-plants in Irbid, Karak, Shobak, Tafileh, Madaba and Balqa by the end of the year to create jobs for women in these areas.

---The Jordan Times

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