Modernizing vocational education and training in Syria
Syria-European Union, Education, 12/17/2005

It is frequently noted that a countries most important resource is its people. To grow the economy, to create jobs and to improve opportunities for individual people, the country must improve its skills and the ways in which people are trained and assisted to find employment.

Towards that end, the Modernisation of Vocational Education and Training Program is a partnership between the government of Syria and the European Union. It is a three-year initiative with a budget of 25 million (4 million from the Syrian government and 21 million provided by the European Union).

The overall objective of the program is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and to ensure that training better matches the needs of employers and the labor market.

Building on growth potential, the project will also strengthen the operation of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, particularly its employment offices, and will support the Agency for Combating Unemployment to develop its programs.

Initially the Vocational Education and Training system will be modernized in two sectors ready-made garment production and engineering/maintenance. The program will work with selected enterprises in these sectors to improve their training capacity and ability to identify future skill needs. It will also support a group of VET institutions, and their Ministries, to design new curricula, provide equipment, train trainers and improve their administrative and management systems. Regionally the project will work in Damascus, Aleppo and Homs.

Key objectives The key objectives of the program are to: Improve the coordination of vocational education and training and to improve its performance Assist enterprises to become more productive and competitive Create sustainable links between employers and VET providers Enhance opportunities for VET trainees to find jobs Develop better systems for identifying future skills needs Improve the operation of employment offices and the Agency for Combating Unemployment to guide and equip people to jobs or self-employment On the basis of work in the pilot sectors a new VET strategy for Syria will be developed, involving stakeholders from the government, chambers of industry, employers and VET providers. The challenges ahead Syria faces challenges in developing its industries and services to face increasing international competition. Unemployment, particularly amongst young people, is a major issue. Developing a new VET system will support economic growth and development and increase opportunities for individuals.

The Program Management Unit is supported by a technical assistance team made up of international and local experts. This technical assistance is divided into two complementary components one concerned with the overall aims and activities of the program and the second that concentrates on the training of teachers and trainers.

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