The main priority of this project is to improve the link between the Vocational Training Centres (VTC’s) and the private sector, while maintaining and improving building social cohesion between the refugee, IDP and host community populations in Kurdistan-Iraq. In addition, this project aims to change the mindset of both trainers and trainees to become more client-oriented toward the needs of the local private sector.
The project aims at building networks between the VTC’s and the private sector (e.g. by cooperating directly with companies but also by liaising with private sector representations).
Within the short courses proposed in this project, internships in local companies are aimed at strengthening the link between the VTC’s and the private sector and make the training more relevant for both trainees and companies.
At the beginning of the project, both a training needs analysis and labour market analysis will be conducted to determine companies’ needs and the most relevant training topics. By this simultaneous approach, responsiveness to current labour market demands is given to offer students more and valuable employment opportunities.
The project builds further on the courses and labour market analyses that have been developed in the framework of the vocational training partnership programme “PISHE”, also implemented with contribution from AMBERO Consulting GmbH.
The project will take place in the Erbil and Duhok governorates, in the VTC’s in the cities of Zakho, Duhok and Soran. The potential sectors to work in have been defined in agreement between MoLSA. Through local contacts, AMBERO has an extensive private sector network in these regions, operating exactly in these sectors. Besides Tourism and construction, agriculture and food processing are the top 3 of potential sectors to focus for the various activities.

Special attention will be given to gender awareness and mainstreaming, on the levels of enrolment, curriculum development and internship placement.