West Irbid: The Mayor of West Irbid, Jamal Bataineh, met with a German delegation to discuss initiatives aimed at enhancing local capacities in vocational education and training, in partnership with various educational and community institutions.
According to Jordan News Agency, Bataineh highlighted that the visit is part of a series of collaborative meetings focused on exchanging expertise and developing vocational school curricula and training programs that meet labor market demands, thereby improving graduate employability across different sectors. He emphasized that this relationship opens the door to professional development aligned with global trends, creating long-term career prospects.
Bataineh stressed that empowering youth through education and training is essential for both economic and social advancement. The initiative is comprehensive, extending beyond infrastructure and curriculum development to include specialized training programs for wide societal segments, including women and persons with disabilities. It also supports entrepreneurship and digital skills development.
The project will concentrate on four main vocational areas: maintenance, hospitality, agriculture, and fashion and beauty design. Over 200 students are anticipated to benefit from these programs in the initial phase.
Key project outcomes include a memorandum of understanding between vocational schools and the West Irbid Municipality, knowledge exchange workshops for educators from both sides, advanced training courses at Zarnouji School, provision of specialized training materials for Khadija Bint Khuwaylid School, and training for social counselors to support students both psychologically and academically.
Members of the German delegation expressed admiration for Jordan’s experience and particularly praised West Irbid Municipality’s commitment to promoting vocational education and its readiness for long-term cooperation. They underscored the importance of holding regular follow-up meetings to ensure successful project implementation and potential future expansion.
The visit also featured a field tour of Zarnouji Vocational School and Khadija Bint Khuwaylid Vocational School, where the delegation reviewed training and education programs, met with school staff, and interacted with student beneficiaries.