Erbil ( Kurdistan Region ) : A total of 273 Syrian refugees, displaced Iraqis and their host communities in Erbil, Duhok and Sulaimani graduated from vocational training provided by the United Nations Migration Agency throughout the month of May.
“These vocational training offer young people the opportunity to enhance their skills through market-driven training programmes,” Gerard Waite, IOM Iraq Chief of Mission, said in a press release on Tuesday.
The different courses lasted anywhere from 4-8 weeks in fields such as mobile phone maintenance, small engine repair, tailoring, information technology and English language.
“These trainings are targeted at young adults with secondary education, who want to develop technical skills or those who are skilled and are looking to enhance their knowledge,” Waite added.
Participants in the training were given graduation certificates as well as start-up packages to help them in pursuing their career plans. The start-up packages included mechanic toolkits, mobile repair equipment and tablets in hopes that the new graduates can find employment opportunities or even start their own businesses.
“The training had a positive impact on my mental state because I was able to meet and communicate with new people,” said one participant, Nashwan, a refugee who fled Syria to Iraq with his family in 2012. “After being unemployed for a long time, I finally feel confident that I can earn a living. I am even thinking of opening a business.”
Nashwan already has a diploma in information technology and computers and graduated with a certificate in the mobile phone maintenance programme.
Another participant, Ahmed Salah who was displaced from Salahaddin when ISIS took over in 2014, completed training in the English language program.
“I have a master’s degree in electrical engineering,” Salah said. “I would like to apply for scholarships for further studies, but first I need to improve my English.”
The rate of employment for former graduates increased from 20-44 percent, according to IOM.
“IOM Iraq’s Regional Refugee and Resilience Programme (3RP) aims to provide Syrian refugees, Iraqi internally displaced persons and vulnerable host communities with access to education and employment opportunities,” the press release read. “Through efforts to enhance human capital and support local economies, the programme contributes to improving social cohesion in the communities hosting Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northern Iraq.”
In 2016 and 2017, more than 1,300 people benefited from the 3RP program by receiving employability training, greenhouse activities, small business and livelihood support as well as cash-for-work programs. The 3RP program is funded by the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) and the US State Department.
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