SKILLS: a Syrian Business passport
After achieving his mission at one of the biggest companies in Bahrain, Firas Bwabiji did not feel that his future was threatened by the world economic crisis. He was convinced that the training courses he received at the Skills business school have paved the way for many work opportunities; anywhere.
Samar Izmishli - Damascus, Al-Hayat
“SKILLS” is a business school developed in Syria thanks to the initiative of the European Training Foundation (ETF) and the Syrian Small and Medium Enterprise Support Program (SSP). The project, funded by the European Union, aims to smartly bridge the gap between education and the professional requirements of the job market.
Firas Bwabiji (24 years old) is currently looking for a job that suits his ambitions. “After graduating from Skills school, I was hired by an international firm in Dubai to work at its Bahraini branch”. To him, studying at Skills school gave him a range of opportunities he thought it would never come to him: “What you learn in 6 months makes you armed with all the skills the work market needs, from A to Z”.
After graduation, Firas’ school colleague Manal Ayash was hired by the Syrian Enterprise & Business Centre. In fact, the 24 graduating students, most of which hold a secondary diploma, succeeded in finding a job. To Manal, the Skills diploma constitutes a passport to the business world. She says the school helped her get a good career, but also developed her personality: “Studying made me a more confident person”.
“We need more”
Many local and international firms are waiting for more Skills students to be graduated in Damascus and Aleppo. According to Nawaf Zeidan, who is a recognized training and business development consultant, “companies should create their own training centers, because Skills school will not be able to cover alone the market needs”.
“Qualified workforce represents a major problem in Syria”, says Samer El Debs, a well-known businessman who benefited from the Skills graduated students, and he is currently waiting for more graduates, “as it is difficult to find competent workers in this country”.
Each year, Syria needs to ensure 280 thousand new jobs, knowing that the unemployment rate reaches 8.5% according to official sources, and 20% according to economic analysts. Besides, it is unfortunately a living death for young people to find a job in Syria…
Debs explains that the Syrian educational system is badly affected by problems that are mainly related to the lack of English language skills, computer literacy and of practical methods for learning. In addition, tuition fees at private universities are unaffordable for youth (a minimum of $2000). “It is important to invest in human resources instead of machines”, says Debs, adding that “the qualifying process should include training sessions but also professional ethics courses”.
Free courses so far
Skills aims to help young people enter the increasingly competitive market. In order to register for Skills school, the student must be between 18 and 24. He should have a baccalaureate degree and an acceptable English level. The candidate is asked to pass an IQ test, the general knowledge and the English language tests, in addition to an individual interview. In parallel, Skills offers him computer training, intensive English courses as well as around 24 business sessions. Students are asked to show discipline during studies: if the absence rate reaches 20% of total courses, the skipper is prevented from receiving a diploma. The program does not cater only to Syrian students. Around 20 Iraqi refugees residing in Damascus benefited from its training courses.
Skills project started in September 2006 and ends in February 2010, with a total EC funding of 15 million Euros. According to Nawaf Zeidan, the school is currently providing free courses, but the situation may change in the future, as the number of applications is increasing constantly.
International universities are showing interest in Skills graduated students, and offering training opportunities in companies located in Canada, UK, and Belgium. Graduated students will be able to stay in contact through the “Skills club”, which was created by the school management. Debates, seminars, scientific, cultural and educational meetings will also be organized.
N.B: Text translated from Arabic by Eurojar team
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I would like to be brief and thank Europa Jaratona program for its achievments in Jordan.
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It is good to hear that there is someone who really cares about our historical monuments. While reading the article, I was hoping to find so many Tunisian names to make sure that, also, in our country there are people who are hell-bent on preserving what is left of a glorious history. Tunisia, thanks to its location, welcomed many civilizations whose leaders built huge and glorious buildings. Not only in cities near the shores, but also in the far west cities like Sbitla, Kasserin...
I believe that in order to save the surviving monuments, there should be a campaign to make Tunisians aware of the significance of such a loss if those buildings become ruins.
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I have read this article with cautious and i was not happy of the approaches being written due i guess to lack of real understanding of current environmental issues we are facing. The problem of pollution will not be tackled only through fundings bec most of the money used is not appropriately used and if ever used we seek the traditional methods the old fashion way. We need to look at alternatives , less costs , better and more sustainable output. Waste problems are derived from mass consumerism and lack of understanding of what our lives should mean to us as far as human values and choices we should take in life. Building waste water treatment is needed but what is more needed is eduation and awereness and return to ethics and values. We can keep dumping money on projects but who would assure me that our resources are being well taken care of and not depleted in a fast way? Where is the concept of sustainibility?
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In Egypt, we’re 80 million, we we’re 80 million hopes and 80 million Ziwil and Baradie. But the obstacle to do that is to cross the ignorant-educated issue, when we look at the universities graduates; yes they are holders of bachelors or licenses, big certificates and big universities names. But because of the 60 years old studying materials we have no real bachelors neither real big names. And I believe that, the solution is to renew the education system in Egypt and to create such organizations (Skills School) to teach what is needed.