Al Asalah LG Air-Conditioner Academy and Jordan Career Education Foundation to develop vocational training in Jordan

This program will receive financial support from the Department of State's Middle East Partnership Initiative ("MEPI"), an affiliate of the U.S.-based non-profit Education for Employment Foundation.

The partnership was signed at a press conference held at the academy headquarters on November 12th 2007. The event was attended by Board Chairman of the Middle East Complex - an agent for LGE's products in Jordan, Mr. Osama Khalili, CEO of the Jordan Career Foundation, Ms. Mayyada Abu Jaber, Founder of Education for Employment Mr. Ronald Bruder, General Manager of the LGE Amman Branch Mr. Kevin Cha, and General Manager of Al Asalah Electromechanics, Mr. Issam Samara and representatives of the media.

While university graduates constitute the highest percentage of unemployed youth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, there is an overwhelming need to provide vocational and technical training for at-risk youth.

The educational marketplace is skewed toward university graduates, rather than in-demand vocational technicians. In a fast-changing technological world, teaching without reference to what businesses need, if equipment is obsolete and curricula out-of-date, graduates will fail to meet the basic needs of employers.

The U.S.-based Education For Employment (EFE) Foundation's Jordanian partnership foundation, the Jordan Career Education Foundation (JCEF), has formed a Business Advisory Council (BAC), comprising leading members of Jordan's private sector companies across a spectrum of industries, and chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Noor Hamzah -- herself a member of the youth cohort.

What is required are systemic links to the private sector and those tasked with hiring. Through its "private diplomacy," JCEF/EFE brings educators together with business leaders and government officials in charge of vocational and technical training.

JCEF/EFE, with support of the United States Department of State's Office of The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), is well positioned to launch vocational and technical training courses at the diploma or polytechnic level. JCEF has successfully delivered the Workplace Success Program to at-risk youth in the impoverished Amman neighborhood of Jabal Natheef. Therefore, the JCEF is in an ideal position to pilot a unique Vocational Training and Job-Placement Program targeting at-risk youth, in partnership with a variety of private-sector partners.

Since its launch in 2006, the Al Asalah LG A/C Academy set out to provide technical training for engineers, technicians, and students interested in improving their skills in fields relevant to air conditioning maintenance, refrigeration and temperature control. The academy was founded by local entrepreneur Mr. Issam Samarah, who is the LG agent for Commercial Air Conditioning systems.

The training program is designed for underprivileged youth ages 17 to 21 years, who lack the opportunity and who meet the employer's hiring criteria.

Elaborating further on the partnership made, Director of the Al Asalah LG Air-Conditioner Academy, Mr. Yasin Sara said,

"Through this partnership, the academy is providing the required education and training to Jordanian youth to enable them to become active and productive members in the society, which is one of the primary objectives of the Academy. The Academy forms an integral part of this community and so we are thrilled to be contributing to its advancement."

From his end, Mr. Cha said, "LG Electronics on its part will provide the Academy with all the support that they need to successfully implement this program. We are proud to see the Academy engage in community activism despite of its young operational age."

Mr. Khalili further added that the Academy was steered by the need to do more for the citizens of Jordan. He further affirmed that MEC will be a strong supporter of this initiative and any other initiatives taken up by the Pioneer's academy in the future.

The course is divided in two parts: the JCEF's Workplace Success Program, an intensive 48-hour course. Unlike the widespread, generic "soft skills" programs, the Workplace Success program offers practical, hands-on training in successful business behavior. Students are guided in overriding principles, such as work ethic and self confidence, but also are given detailed lessons on daily challenges. The second part of the program is a vocational training program delivered by Al Asalah LG Air-Conditioner Academy. 100 students from underprivileged communities selected by JCEF and the Academy will participate in a 3 month program, followed by job placement, mentoring, and monitoring. Class size is 25 students, so the training will be delivered in four sessions over one year. The trainers will be from within the industry.

Placement in jobs will be carried by the Academy with support from LG Electronics and the Middle East Complex and all follow-up will be joint between the JCEF and the Academy and through the on-line web-portal efeonline.