ILO and Jordan’s Vocational Training Corporation agree to recognize the prior experience of 1,000 beneficiaries

ILO, with support from the US Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, under the project "Formalizing Access to the Legal Labour Market for Refugees and Host Communities in Jordan," signed an implementation agreement with Jordan’s Vocational Training Corporation to implement the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program. 

The RPL program aims to reach 1000 beneficiaries, half of whom are Jordanians and half Syrian refugees, with women constituting at least 30 percent of the beneficiaries. The goal is to facilitate recognizing their previous experiences, assessing their skills and competencies, and providing a training program to address gaps in education and their special needs. The program supports them in obtaining an occupational practice license and issuing licenses to Jordanian and Syrian workers who currently practice their professions informally in various economic sectors. The program will be implemented in several Jordanian governorates: Amman, Irbid, Zarqa, Mafraq, Jerash, Ajloun, Tafila, Madaba, and Karak. 

The Vocational Training Corporation (VTC) will work to establish a steering committee to supervise the program's implementation and ensure high-quality results. They will conduct assessments to recognize the prior experiences of 1000 beneficiaries who are individuals with the skills, knowledge, and practical experience but lacking official recognition of their skills. The VTC will provide training to prepare beneficiaries for the skills test and issue occupational practice licenses in cooperation with the Technical and Vocational Skills Development Commission (TVSDC). Additionally, VTC will recruit and train staff for the RBL program, write reports, and develop a set of performance indicators to match the program’s objectives. 

The project "Formalizing Access to the Legal Labour Market for Refugees and Host Communities in Jordan" stands on three robust pillars: First, increase access for Jordanians and Syrian refugees to benefit from meticulously crafted on-the-job training and skills validation. Second, supporting Jordanian and refugee women to enter and stay in the formal workforce. Skills training on entrepreneurship and business development will play a pivotal role in this journey. Third, access to work permits for Syrian refugees to increase their involvement in the workforce.  

ILO Chief Technical Adviser in Jordan, Mr. Qais Al-Qatamin, emphasized the Program’s significance for skilled Jordanian and Syrian workers, stating, “Through this program, ILO aspires to formalize, develop, and certify skills and support Jordanians and Syrian refugees in obtaining work permits following their approved expertise to create a lasting positive impact on the beneficiary's lives and contributing to a more inclusive and resilient labor market.” His Excellency Engineer Ahmed Gharaibeh, Director-General of the Vocational Training Corporation, said: “The VTC is honored by this partnership with ILO. We aim to raise the quality of services provided to the local community as the percentage of students enrolled in vocational education during the next ten years is expected to reach 50%.” His Excellency also indicated that the RBL program will play an important role in spreading the culture of vocational education and issuing occupational practice licenses that recognize the skills and previous experiences of workers in this field, improving their social image and legally approving their experiences. 

The ILO plays an important role in improving and developing the situation of workers in the Jordanian labor market and aims to support Jordanians and Syrian refugees to practice their work in a way that guarantees their rights and increases their efficiency.