Amman, Dec. 17 (Petra) -- The Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI) and Danish Industry (DI) have concluded the "Najahna" project, a three-year initiative funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation as part of its corporate social responsibility programs, aimed at strengthening skills development and employment opportunities in Jordan’s industrial sector.

According to a statement issued by the Chamber, the project focused on expanding access to decent employment and training for youth, women, and underprivileged groups, through targeted technical and life-skills development and improved pathways to the labor market.

The initiative supported education and training systems while promoting entrepreneurship, with particular emphasis on environmental sustainability, vocational and technical education, and the application of occupational health and safety standards across training institutions and industrial workplaces.

Implemented through a consortium model bringing together national and international partners, the project sought to generate sustainable impact within Jordan’s skills development and employment ecosystem.

Over the course of its implementation, the project reached more than 85,000 young men and women, improved livelihoods, and contributed to the creation of employment opportunities for nearly 3,000 youth. This was achieved through the introduction of advanced employment methodologies, including work-based learning, apprenticeship programs, and strengthened job-matching mechanisms through employment support units.

At the enterprise level, the project supported 150 industrial companies through specialized training programs and workshops that helped improve human resources policies, advance diversity and inclusion practices, enhance working conditions, and raise awareness of public and mental health, resulting in increased opportunities for youth and women.

As part of its outcomes, the project developed a comprehensive set of toolkits, guidelines, and reference materials designed to serve as sustainable resources for institutions, companies, and individuals. These covered labor-market readiness, onboarding and preparation of trainees and new employees, occupational health and safety, employment services, work-based training models, industrial sector awareness, and essential workplace life skills.

The "Najahna" project was cited as a successful model of international cooperation, combining capacity building, practical skills development, and the establishment of sustainable training and employment systems aligned with the needs of modern industry.

Speaking at the project’s closing ceremony on Tuesday, Hazem Al-Rahahla, Director General of the Jordan Chamber of Industry, said the initiative represents a tangible example of sustainable partnership, noting that it goes beyond short-term programming to create long-term impact through knowledge transfer and capacity building for youth and businesses.

For his part, Jesper Friis, Director of Policy Development and Partnerships at Danish Industry, reaffirmed DI’s commitment to supporting partners in achieving key performance indicators and advancing skills development at both strategic and policy levels, describing the partnership with the Jordan Chamber of Industry as a model for building a more resilient and competitive industrial sector.

//Petra// RZ