Technical and Vocational Training for Youth in Syria - People in Need & EU
Channel: Člověk v tísni
Date: 27/09/2017

One year ago, People in Need, with generous support from the European Union, established two TVET centres in Idleb governorate: one for young women and one for young men. The need for such practical education centres cannot be underestimated. In Syria today, female and male youth are among the most vulnerable demographics affected by the war. 

The Syrian education system has been dealt an enormous blow and there is little funding for such practical learning centres today, particularly in Idleb, where communities have witnessed the closure of a number of industrial and commercial activities and institutions. The collapse of the economy and the lack of employment opportunities further contribute to an overall increase in women’s vulnerability within the country, and to a heightened risk of male youth becoming involved in armed groups.

These two centres seek to engage and upskill talented young men and women, decrease the risk of youth recruitment and generate a larger pool of skilled youth who can productively contribute to their local communities in the years to come. To get these centres up and running, People in Need provided teaching and learning materials to staff and students; conducted rehabilitation and safety works to the centres; and pledged to cover the basic operational costs and material needs of the centres for the entire year.

At the two centres, young women received teaching and training in courses such as sewing, embroidery and wool-work, whilst young men received training in courses including metalwork, carpentry, electrical engineering and mechanics.

To support the students in their pursuit of practical life skills, People in Need provided them with practical, financial support throughout their studies to ensure that students were not placed under any financial burden at attend their courses. Each student received monthly food vouchers worth approximately 40$ in addition to 20$ to cover transportation costs. Teachers were also supported through this project and received monthly financial incentives as well as trainings in areas such as psychosocial support. Such psychosocial support training for teachers is crucial in today’s Syria, where millions of young people can barely remember a life without war.

Read more about TVET here:
http://bit.ly/2y97aLU

And the graduation of these students in 2017 here:
http://bit.ly/2yHdozP