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March 4, 2024

Technical vocational training unlocks new career prospects for Syrian woman

Despite dropping out of school at the age of 13, this young Syrian refugee woman is thriving within Jordan’s beauty industry with a full-time job as a Manicure and Pedicure Technician. Technical training by SPARK’s partner, Education For Employment (EFE), led Angham to a job placement and a new career.

On most weekday afternoons, you can find 23-year-old Angham working at a salon in Amman. She has a long list of loyal customers and appears to have built a stable life for herself. Yet she carries the weight of unfulfilled aspirations of resuming her education, having dropped out of school at 13 due to the war in Syria.

“The decision to withdraw from school weighed heavily on me,” Angham explained. “Continuing would only add to the financial strain on my family. Furthermore, even if I were to graduate, what job prospects would await me in Jordan? Most of jobs are closed for Syrian refugees in Jordan.” 

 

Jordan ranks second globally in hosting Syrian refugees per capita, following Lebanon. Prior to 2021, Syrian refugees in Jordan were primarily restricted to working in agriculture, construction and manufacturing. Since some changes to government policy in 2021, Syrian refugees have been eligible to obtain work permits for all sectors open to non-Jordanians, enabling them to work in services, sales, crafts, skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery positions, plant and machine operation, as well as basic industries.

Despite Jordanian officials’ efforts to lead globally in providing both refugees and host communities access to decent work, as advocated by the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), a recent UNHCR report highlights that many refugees still lack such access. 

“Many refugees who hold work permits still struggle to find jobs and support their families,” explains Quentin Levet, SPARK’s Regional Programme Director for the Middle East. SPARK collaborates closely with its partners to forge employment pathways for both refugee and Jordanian nationals. The Skills, Training and Education Programme (STEP) funded by the Islamic Development Bank and the Abdul Aziz al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund, is one such initiative.

©SPARK2024
©SPARK2024
©SPARK2024

Angham joined the STEP programme, where she embarked on a new journey in technical training with SPARK’s local partner, Education For Employment (EFE), to specialise as a Manicure and Pedicure Technician. During the training period, the programme provided her with technical training, skills development and direct job placement. 

Angham currently holds a full-time job opportunity in a beauty center in Amman, ensuring a stable income. Additionally, she offers home services for her clients and is passionate about opening her own beauty center. “Independence begins with a steady income, mature thinking, ambition, and well-defined goals,” Angham concluded.