Ministry of Labour in collaboration with USAID sign MoU to organize the National Job Fair and Training Expo 2008

During the signing ceremony, Al Salem stated "This event is in alignment with His Majesty King Abdullah II vision to find solutions to address the problem of unemployment and provide job opportunities for Jordanians. The Ministry of Labour believes that overcoming unemployment is a partnership to which the entire community including official public institutions and private sector should contribute to".

"The success of last year's exhibition has encouraged us to continue to organize such functions and support any efforts carried out by the private sector with the aim of providing job opportunities for Jordanians" he added.

"One of USAID Economic Development Program's (SABEQ) main mandates is to provide job opportunities for Jordanians" said Carol Swan.

"Previously, USAID through SABEQ, supported two similar successful events; the National Job Fair and Training Expo 2007 and The Employment Fair and Training Expo for the Southern Region. We remain committed to support such initiatives that result in the employment of Jordanians and the continued development of the national economy" she added.

On his part, Mr. Albert Awn, Chairman of IFP stated "We believe in the importance of holding such exhibitions which provide employment opportunities for Jordanians. Such activities demonstrate the importance of the public-private sector partnership and the impact it has on the social and economic growth in general and the unemployment challenge in specific".

Mr. Awn expressed his desire in carrying-out such successful events in the future. "Last year's job fair witnessed a substantial turnout from visitors and those seeking training, where more than ten thousand people from the Kingdom's governorates attended the show and resulted in the employment of hundreds of Jordanians in the private sector" he added.

The organization of this event comes as part of the Ministry's efforts in providing the appropriate employment opportunities for Jordanians.

This is achieved by gathering the cadre that has the recruitment expertise from leading companies in the Kingdom.

The exhibition will also provide specialized training courses, access to employment opportunities, and provide opportunities in obtaining information on various educational institutions and companies.

The Job fair provides an important opportunity for business owners and institutions to meet with large numbers of job seekers in a short period of time as they seek to recruit those who are qualified for the job vacancy.

The Jordan Job Fair and Training Expo 2008 also aims at enhancing the education, training and employment process at universities, and centers that are concerned with education and training.

The USAID-funded Sustainable Achievement of Business Expansion and Quality Program is a five year broad economic development initiative implemented by BearingPoint, Inc. and a sizeable team of international and Jordanian partner firms.

By both supporting improvements in the business environment and providing assistance to expand innovation and productivity in Jordanian businesses, SABEQ's four components all support the common objective of building up the private sector—Jordan's companies, innovators and entrepreneurs—as a powerful engine of economic growth.