Amman: Academics have highlighted technical education as a strategic approach to combat graduate unemployment, which is attributed to a disconnect between university education and the demands of various productive sectors.
According to Jordan News Agency, experts are calling for a strategic and practical development of technical education, positioning it as a pathway to boost youth employability, bolster the national economy, and enhance social stability. Hani Dmour, former President of Al al-Bayt University, noted that the increasing unemployment rate among graduates indicates a misalignment between higher education outcomes and labor market needs. He urged a comprehensive evaluation of the education system to address these issues.
Dmour further emphasized that many graduates, despite being theoretically qualified, struggle to find employment, highlighting the necessity of shifting towards technical education as a pragmatic solution. He explained that technical education focuses on providing hands-on skills directly relevant to production, industry, and specialized technical services, beyond just knowledge acquisition.
He added that international examples show that countries investing in technical and vocational education have successfully reduced unemployment, achieved sustainable economic growth, and enhanced competitiveness across productive sectors. Dmour stressed that the success of technical education relies on fostering an investment-friendly environment and building effective partnerships between educational institutions and the private sector.
Dmour also underscored the importance of translating the education-employment link into clear policies, beginning with curriculum updates, teacher training, and integrating students into real work environments during their studies. He advocated for a public awareness campaign to challenge negative societal perceptions of technical education and to highlight its developmental role.
Meanwhile, Mohannad Khatib, spokesperson for the Ministry of Higher Education and Director of the Unified Admission Coordination Unit, reaffirmed the ministry’s view of technical education as a strategic response to labor market challenges. He stated that technical education is crucial for reducing graduate unemployment and ensuring education aligns with market needs. The ministry, he added, is committed to supporting this sector and encouraging students to pursue technical education for its significant impact on equipping national talent with essential skills.
Khatib also noted that the ministry remains dedicated to implementing policies in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, reflecting its belief in technical education as foundational for a sustainable, skills-based, and innovation-driven future.
University of Jordan law professor Meshaal Al-Madhi described technical education as a strategic path to addressing graduate unemployment. He pointed out that Arab societies face increasing challenges in bridging the gap between educational outcomes and labor market needs. Al-Madhi emphasized that technical education complements academic education by focusing on applied learning and practical skills to enhance graduates’ readiness for employment.
By aligning its programs with local and regional labor demands, technical education helps bridge the supply-demand gap and produces skilled, professional technical workers. Al-Madhi cited international models where investment in technical and vocational education has significantly reduced unemployment and fostered growth in productive sectors.
Al-Madhi argued for developing the technical education system in Jordan and the region as a long-term national investment, requiring government and legislative support and partnerships with the private sector to ensure high-quality training and curriculum updates. He stressed shifting societal perceptions of technical education, restoring its status as a desirable path, and empowering youth to contribute to a productive society and sustainable economy.
Muhannad Qudah, a specialist in teaching methodologies, highlighted the crucial role of technical education in preparing graduates for the labor market by providing practical and technical skills. He explained that technical education also develops critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork, equipping students for technical careers aligned with their interests and qualifications.
Qudah emphasized the importance of practical experience in technical education, allowing students to train with current tools and technologies, which facilitates efficient workforce integration. He stated that technical education helps reduce disguised unemployment, promotes entrepreneurship, and creates new job opportunities.
Qudah called for increased support for technical education through appropriate budgeting, comprehensive national strategies, curriculum development, infrastructure investment, and recruitment of specialized educators. He also stressed the need for digital transformation support, fostering partnerships between technical education institutions and the private sector, providing training opportunities, enforcing quality standards, and conducting regular evaluations to ensure program effectiveness and graduate employability.