Ministry Highlights Just Energy Transition as Catalyst for Labor Market Restructuring

Amman: The just energy transition represents a national project to restructure the economy and the labor market based on sustainability, equity, and competitiveness, from the perspective of the Ministry of Labor, said Secretary General of the Ministry of Labor, Abdul Halim Dougan. According to Jordan News Agency, Dougan emphasized that a just transition is not measured solely by the volume of clean energy produced, but by its ability to improve living conditions, protect workers, provide decent employment opportunities, and support balanced development across all governorates. He noted that it should be seen as a unifying national opportunity rather than a social or economic burden. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Just Energy Transition Project in Jordan, Dougan highlighted the pivotal role of the Ministry of Labor in leading the social dimension of the energy transition. The Ministry is tasked with managing its impact on the labor market and ensuring that it contributes to job creation rather than job losses. He explained that the Ministry's responsibilities include developing active labor market policies, such as reskilling and upskilling workers, modernizing vocational and technical training programs, anticipating future skills gaps, and encouraging the creation of decent jobs in green sectors. Investment in training and capacity building is considered a national priority to ensure the success of the energy transition and its long-term social sustainability. Dougan further noted that the National Employment Program implemented by the Ministry of Labor has employed 4,289 beneficiaries in green or environmentally related jobs. This effort contributes to achieving national climate change and sustainability objectives within the framework of the Economic Modernization Vision. Additionally, he pointed out that the Vocational Training Corporation has achieved a regional and national milestone by establishing the region's first Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy in 2014. The center serves as a cor nerstone for advanced technical training in Ma'an Governorate, focusing on increasing female participation to enhance women's involvement in technical and vocational sectors. This initiative has expanded to include a broad network of training centers in Amman, Zarqa, Salt, Mafraq, Karak, Tafilah, and Ma'an.