In cooperation with the International Youth Foundation
Sharek Youth Forum implements “Start Job: National Recruitment Days” project for new graduates in six governorates in the West Bank
Ramallah – Sharek Youth Forum – 3 August 2011. Within the Youth Entrepreneurship Development (YED) Program, Sharek Youth Forum, in cooperation with the International Youth Foundation (IYF), and funded by the USAID is implementing their “Start Job: National Recruitment Days” project. This project will be conducted throughout six governorates in the West Bank. A number of Palestinian Universities will assist the administration of the project.
Sharek’s Executive Director Bader Zamareh said, “the project aims to build the capacities of graduates and students from the participating universities in these governorates. It is focused on integrating these students in the labor market by not only providing them with specialized training, but also organizing recruitment days in participation with many private sector representatives.” Zamareh added, “a questionnaire has been created to help assess the companies and institutions’ needs from new graduates. In addition it also helps identify the crucial problems faced by these companies and institutions in the process of recruiting new graduates.”
Zamareh reported that the project first phase has been implemented in three universities in Bethlehem governorate, these are; Bethlehem University, Palestine Ahlia University and Al-Quds Open University. 96 beneficiaries participated in the inaugural phase. The second phase saw a further 80 in Hebron governorate’s universities, which included Hebron University, and the Polytechnic University.
Zamareh stated that based on the analysis of the questionnaires completed by the Palestinian companies and organization, the most needed employees were graduate students from the Faculties of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Engineering, and Computer Sciences. Zamareh also mentioned that communication skills, public relation skills, leadership skills and knowledge of the English language were also held in high regard.
The International Youth Foundation (IYF) Chief of Party Mohammad Al-Mbaid said that the main goal of these activities was to provide timely and much needed support for more than 550 young Palestinians through the close cooperation of IYF with Sharek Youth Forum. In addition they aimed at providing the participants with training in entrepreneurship and employability skills. Al-Mbaid added that the program seeks to promote entrepreneurship among young people, enhance youth opportunities to obtain jobs, create economic and social entrepreneurial spirit and implement purposeful community services.
