Amman: Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Azmi Mahafzah on Sunday discussed with Jordan Chamber of Commerce President Khalil Haj Tawfiq launching an Italian government-funded scholarship and training program aimed at qualifying and training Jordanian youth in specialized vocational sectors.
According to Jordan News Agency, the meeting came as part of follow-up efforts to implement the cooperation agreement signed by the Jordan Chamber of Commerce and the Joint Italian-Arab Chamber of Commerce on the sidelines of the Jordanian-Italian Business Forum held in Amman last month. The agreement is intended to open advanced vocational education and training pathways for Jordanian youth through programs that combine academic study with hands-on training inside European factories and companies.
Mahafzah emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships between educational institutions and the private sector to better align educational outcomes with labor market needs. He stated that the ministry is keen to support initiatives that provide Jordanian youth with training and qualification opportunities in specialized fields and enable them to gain practical experience in line with European standards.
He also mentioned that the ministry is prepared to cooperate and coordinate with the Jordan Chamber of Commerce and relevant bodies to ensure the program’s success and achieve its objectives, enhancing youth employment opportunities and supplying the national economy with qualified talent equipped with skills required in regional and international markets.
Haj Tawfiq highlighted that the program targets Jordanian graduates up to the age of 35 and offers full scholarships covering tuition fees, airfare, visa costs, accommodation, and a monthly stipend. The program will initially focus on fashion design and gold and diamond manufacturing and design, with later phases covering other specializations, including logistics, food industries, graphic design, automotive maintenance, and any field needed by the Jordanian market.
He explained that the one-year program combines intensive theoretical study with practical training inside European factories and companies, leading to a certificate accredited across all European Union countries. The next step will involve coordination with the Scholarships Directorate at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and other relevant entities to develop a mechanism and implementation plan for launching the program, including announcing the scholarship, receiving applications, and selecting beneficiaries in cooperation with the Italian side.