Aqaba, Aug. 3 (Petra) -- The Water and Irrigation Ministry and Youth Ministry reviewed preparations Monday for a program to train national workers for the National Carrier Project.
The review, in cooperation with the National Employment and Training Company (NET), took place during a coordination meeting held at the Aqaba National Vocational Training (ANVT) in Aqaba.
Water and Irrigation Minister Raed Abu Soud, Youth Minister Raed Adwan and NET Director-General Brig. Gen. Anwar Khaldi attended the meeting, where they discussed mechanisms for implementing the program.
The program, funded by the U.S., aims to train Jordanian youth according to the project's technical requirements, boosting employment opportunities and supplying the project with qualified national talent.
Abu Soud said the National Carrier Project is not only a strategic project to strengthen the kingdom's water security but a genuine opportunity to invest in Jordanian human capital by preparing national workers with the technical skills needed to implement the project to the highest international standards.
He stated that the ministry attaches importance to training Jordanian youth and enabling them to benefit from job opportunities the project will create, which he said will positively affect economic and social development across Jordan's governorates.
He described the program as a model of effective partnership between government institutions, the private sector and international partners, and he said it strengthens the readiness of national talent to participate in major infrastructure projects.
Abu Saod praised the support provided by the U.S. government in funding the program. He said the cooperation helps build sustainable national capacity, raise the competitiveness of Jordan's workforce and support implementation of the National Carrier Project to the highest standards of quality and efficiency.
Adwan, in turn, said the youth training program tied to National Carrier Project job opportunities translates the royal vision on youth empowerment and participation in national programs and projects, and reflects the government's commitment to implementing its economic modernization vision by linking training to actual labor market opportunities.
He said that the ministry views the National Carrier Project as a strategic national project that offers an important opportunity to develop national talent and prepare Jordanian youth to participate in related career paths.
He added that the ministry is working to expand partnerships with relevant national bodies and leverage youth centers and facilities across governorates to reach as many young people as possible.
Adwan praised the partnership behind the training program, which he said gives young Jordanians training and employment opportunities in the water sector and technical and engineering professions linked to the project, as well as broader prospects for the economic empowerment of women and local communities.
Khaldi said the NET takes pride in its role in implementing the training program by providing specialized training in line with the highest professional standards, preparing qualified national cadres who meet the project's needs and boosting employment for Jordanian youth.
The National Carrier Project is expected to create 4,000 jobs during the construction phase, generating strong demand for specialized technical trades including welding, pipefitting, scaffolding, electrical work, rigging and mechanical installation, among other essential trades needed to implement the project.
The program is launching in Aqaba to meet the project's initial workforce needs and will later expand to cover all of Jordan's governorates.
Its first phase targets training about 500 young men and women in priority trades through competency-based training programs leading to internationally accredited professional certifications, including those from the American Welding Society (AWS) and other certifications aligned with the project's requirements.
Adoption of U.S. professional certification standards ensures young people can gain technical skills to global standards, strengthening their readiness for the labor market and building sustainable expertise suited to major infrastructure projects.
The program will be implemented by specialized training providers, including the NET Company and Gulf Company, with funding from the U.S. government and in cooperation with national institutions and the private sector, as part of efforts to build national technical capacity and boost youth participation in strategic projects across the kingdom.
//Petra// NQ
