Amman, Aug. 22 (Petra) –During a coordination meeting, Information and Communications Technology Association of Jordan (Intaj) and the Education For Employment-Jordan (EFE-Jordan) discussed developing new projects, aimed at enhancing youth readiness to join the digital outsourcing sector and strengthen capacity of Jordanian technology companies to access international markets.

According to an Intaj statement issued on Saturday, the two sides reviewed priorities for the next phase and mechanisms for building upon the outcomes of their ongoing partnership.

This vision will be achieved within programs that combine training youth, in accordance with labor market needs to support Jordanian companies in developing their "competitive" capabilities, and marketing their services regionally and internationally.

The meeting also reviewed results of joint projects, implemented over the past years, including assessing capabilities and competitive priviliges of 51 Jordanian companies operating in the IT sector and selecting 10 to benefit from a specialized capacity-building program.

Furthermore, the joint cooperation contributed to studying demand in the European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets for IT outsourcing services and assisting 6 Jordanian companies in concluding 12 commercial deals in Saudi Arabia and Oman.

In the area of ​​skills development and employment, the two sides implemented 12 specialized training programs, as 341 young men and women enrolled. 297 participants completed the program requirements, and 158 graduates have already secured employment.

Intaj CEO, Nidal Bitar, stated the partnership's results provide a "feasible" foundation for developing new projects that connect the development of Jordanian talent with needs of companies and target markets.

As for its axes, he said the next phase will focus on enhancing "competitiveness" of Jordanian companies to access new markets and preparing youth to work in the digital outsourcing sector.

He noted that this effort supports objectives of the Economic Modernization Vision related to developing the information technology sector and increasing employment and export opportunities.

In turn, Dr. Ghadeer Khafash, CEO of EFE-Jordan, said the partnership with Intaj has contributed to designing programs, based on the actual needs of companies and the labor market, which was reflected in the training, employment, and business opportunities achieved over the past years.

She added that the projects currently under development will provide skills for Jordanian youth to join the digital outsourcing sector, enhance their competitiveness and access to opportunities to achieve sustainable job opportunities, in parallel with supporting companies seeking qualified talent to expand their operations.

Both sides agreed to complete development of the proposed projects, set priorities and identify their implementation mechanisms in the coming period.

This process will enhance youth readiness for the job market and support presence of Jordanian companies in the technology and outsourcing services markets regionally and internationally.

//Petra// AG