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March 8, 2024

Lebanon’s tech talent secures remote job in the USA

The impact of locally-run development is clear. SE Factory, SPARK’s partner in Lebanon, helped Majd secure a remote job in a US company by boosting his skills within UI/UX and front-end development.

The economic crisis gripping Lebanon has taken a heavy toll on its youth, impacting their career prospects. Among those feeling the brunt of this crisis are fresh graduates like Majed, whose aspirations for a stable future have been significantly hindered. 

“The youth of Lebanon have been severely impacted by the economic crisis that has been escalating for years now, putting so much pressure on future growth and social cohesion,” Majed reflected. As a result of the crises, youth migration rate has been increasing, with a survey in 2020 showing that 77% of Lebanese youth aged between 18 and 24 wished to emigrate – higher than in war-torn Libya, Iraq and Yemen.

Lebanon’s struggling education system fails to foster an entrepreneurial spirit or align with the demands of the job market. As a result, many graduates find themselves unprepared for the workforce. Majed, a 23-year-old Computer Science graduate, found himself among the countless Lebanese youth struggling to secure their first job amidst the turmoil. “I was always panicking about not securing my first job,” Majed added.

Through SPARK’s Skills, Training and Educaiton Programme, which is funded by the Islamic Development Bank and Abdul Aziz al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund, Majed joined a tech boot camp offering practical digital skills, job-specific training and networking for youth in Lebanon. SPARK’s partner, SE Factory, provided an accessible alternative to traditional education, allowing participants to work on projects, receive mentorship, and match youth to employment opportunities. The programme also includes mock interviews and soft skills training to improve interview performance and tracks alumni career progress.

“The experience I gained during the boot camp complemented what I learned in university, providing me with a realistic perspective,” Majed explains. He recounts how the bootcamp not only honed his technical skills but also helped him develop crucial soft skills necessary for professional success. “The programme helped fresh graduates like me navigate the complexities of CV development and job interviews,” he added.

 

Moreover, the bootcamp fostered an environment of collaboration and diversity, mirroring the real-world dynamics of the tech industry. “Meeting people from different backgrounds enriched my experience and prepared me for the challenges of working in diverse teams,” Majed reflected.

Upon completing the boot camp, Majed’s resilience and newfound skills paid dividends as he secured a full-time position as a UI/UX and front-end developer with a remote company in the USA. “With this first job opportunity, I am confident that doors will continue to open for me in the future,” Majed added. 

Similar to Majed, 92 recent graduates in Lebanon have joined these boot camps. Among them, 50% are refugees and 40% are female. Notably, 48 of these graduates who completed the programme have successfully secured job opportunities through connections with companies in the tech industry. SPARK and its partners are dedicated to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strive to accomplish the eighth goal, which focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, as well as full and productive employment, and decent work for all.