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| Al Fakhoora and Islamic Development Bank officials at an event to launch a new initiative in conjunction with Islamic Relief Palestine and University College of Applied Sciences in Gaza |
The 15-month programme, entitled ‘Youth Empowerment through Vocational Training and Income Generation Projects in Gaza Strip,’ will be implemented by Islamic Relief Palestine and the University College of Applied Sciences in Gaza.
Since its inception in 2009, Al Fakhoora has offered scholarships to 300 students to complete their university education.
Al Fakhoora director Farooq Burney believes that an expansion into non-conventional education is a natural movement towards providing education to all youth.
“We recognise the significance of vocational training in empowering youth with skills required by a labour market as well as providing much-needed services in Gaza,” he said.
“Vocational education provides the knowhow for services that are crucial within the dynamics of any basic economy. Education is not restricted to its classical definition of theoretical and mainstream education; its breadth allows us to explore and invest in providing youth with practical skills that will flourish through guidance and training,” Burney said.
The programme is designed to offer 100 young Palestinians from Gaza with vocational training in sewing and embroidery, cooking and food processing, computer programming, web and multimedia design, mobile phone maintenance, autotronics, photography and video production.
Mohammed al-Sousi, Country Director of Islamic Relief Palestine, praised Al Fakhoora for acknowledging the need to support vocational training.
Following the success of a small-scale pilot programme, Al Fakhoora recognised the opportunity to further deliver on its pledge to the right to education through vocational training.
“The pilot programme saw the establishment of 30 small businesses. With the launch of the Al Fakhoora programme we will see 50 small businesses created. The Gaza Strip desperately needs multi-dimensional programmes that can improve things for the youth on a social, economic and educational level,” said al-Sousi.
The programme makes provisions for students with special needs by allocating 20% of the 100 places for students within that category. Gender equity has also been taken into consideration assigning 43 places to female applicants.
The initial phase of the programme will run for four months at the University College of Applied Sciences. The students will enlist in their course of choice, and will then be required to take a managerial course designed to provide them with the basics of setting up their own business.
Upon submission of a feasibility study, 50 students will be selected to take part in the second phase of the programme. Islamic Relief will provide the students with grants to set up their own business, while the remaining 50 students will be guaranteed short-term job placements.
