Amman, July 20 (Petra) The Ministry of Investment and the Vocational Training Corporation (VTC) signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday to establish a partnership linking the workforce needs of investment projects with training and employment programs to develop Jordanian talent, expand job opportunities, and support the growth and sustainability of investments.
The memorandum was signed at the Ministry of Investment by Minister of Labour Nidal Katamine and Minister of Investment Tareq Abu Ghazaleh, in the presence of VTC Director-General Raafat Al Sawafin and Investment Ministry Secretary-General Zaher Al Qatarneh.
Katamine said the agreement represents a qualitative initiative to empower Jordanian youth across different academic and vocational levels by equipping them with the skills required by investment projects and enhancing their readiness to benefit from employment opportunities created by new investments.
He said the memorandum is intended to ensure the availability of the professional specializations and skilled workers required by investors, noting that the draft Vocational and Craft Training Law has reached its final legislative stages. He added that the legislation would strengthen investor confidence in the availability of qualified and well-trained Jordanian workers capable of meeting the needs of their projects.
Abu Ghazaleh said linking investment with training and employment is a national priority and a practical step toward providing the qualified Jordanian workforce required by investment projects, enabling them to begin operations and grow and expand while creating quality jobs for Jordanians.
He said the agreement establishes a more integrated approach to serving investors by facilitating access to the skilled labor they require, adding that the availability of trained national workers is one of the key factors influencing investment decisions.
Abu Ghazaleh said investing in the skills of Jordanians is a direct investment in the competitiveness of the national economy and its ability to attract high-quality, sustainable investments.
He added that the memorandum aims to develop skills, raise employment and productivity levels, and align training programs with the needs of economic sectors and the employment opportunities generated by investment projects, thereby supporting sustainable development across the kingdom's governorates.
Al Sawafin said the agreement reflects greater coordination among national institutions and will help strengthen the investment environment by providing the qualified Jordanian workforce required by investment projects.
He said the corporation, through its institutes across the kingdom, will align its training programs with the needs of investors and the labor market while updating vocational training programs to accelerate the provision of the technical and professional skills required by investment projects and increase employment opportunities for Jordanians.
Under the agreement, a representative of the Vocational Training Corporation will be based at the Comprehensive Investment Service Centre at the Ministry of Investment to serve as a direct point of contact for investors, identify their workforce and specialized training requirements, and coordinate with the corporation's training institutes and relevant authorities.
The areas of cooperation include assessing investment projects' workforce, specialization, and skills requirements; developing specialized training and qualification programs for different investment sectors; exchanging relevant information and data in accordance with applicable legislation; and organizing meetings, workshops and joint events to support training and employment.
The memorandum is intended to serve as a national model for institutional cooperation linking investment, vocational training, and employment while enhancing the readiness of Jordanian workers for the labor market and strengthening the economy's capacity to generate sustainable employment opportunities.
//Petra// AF
