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Building the resilience of Palestine refugee youth in Syria through vocational training

22 June 2016

In the sixth year of conflict in Syria, young Palestine refugees continue to suffer the loss of opportunities to further their education and access employment. In an effort to bridge this gap, UNRWA provides them with a range of vocational short-term training courses and long-term courses, business development and youth development courses, as well as career guidance through the ‘Engaging Youth’ project, running since 2012.

The project, funded by the European Union (EU), offers continuing education, career guidance, business development and life-skills to Palestinian youth between the ages of 17 and 33. Engaging Youth is designed to bolster their resilience to cope with the devastations resulting from the crisis since it started.

The EU has been the main supporter of this project since 2012. To date, it has contributed EUR 7.3 million (US$ 9.7 million). This partnership has been critical to enabling UNRWA to help Palestine refugee youth strengthen their resilience.

The Engaging Youth project provides young Palestine refugees in Syria with short-term courses to develop their technical, creative and entrepreneurial skills. UNRWA believes these courses will help students positively contribute to their communities and participate effectively in rebuilding the war-torn country. Damascus Training Centre, Syria. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadThrough the EU-funded project, thousands of students who have left formal education can continue to study English, French and computer literacy skills. Sixty-six per cent of the students enrolled are young women. Damascus Training Centre, Syria. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadEngaging Youth is also designed to improve young persons’ employability. In January 2016, UNRWA conducted a survey to assess labour market needs. UNRWA used the findings to ensure that the diverse range of courses will provide students with relevant practical skills for the changing job market. Damascus Training Centre, Syria. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadThe short-term vocational training courses are extremely popular. From March 2015 to April 2016, there were 5,260 students enrolled. The courses offer 56 specializations, including hairdressing, mechanics, electrical repair, graphic design, accountancy, and mobile and computer maintenance.Damascus Training Centre, Syria. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadIsra’a is a 23-year-old who loves drawing and dreams of working for a design magazine one day. Through the computer animation and modelling course, Isra’a unleashes her imagination with the hopes of one day meeting her aspirations.Damascus Training Centre, Syria. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadUNRWA remains one of the only providers of vocational training and career guidance in Syria. In April 2016, a total of 2,979 students graduated from the short-term courses. Despite a lack of opportunities as a result of the ongoing conflict, 513 graduates were still able to find employment after the programme.Damascus Training Centre, Syria. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadShort-term courses help empower female students to reach their full potential and find jobs, despite the ongoing conflict in Syria. Of the 5,260 trainees enrolled in these courses, 57 per cent or 2,992 were young women. Damascus Training Centre, Syria. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid Mohammad

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