AMMAN — The Vocational Training Corporation (VTC) has successfully achieved a national milestone by being "officially" recognised as a "permanent" regional centre for implementing joint training programmes under the Jordan-Singapore cooperation agreement.

 

This implementation aligns with the provisions of the agreement regarding the execution of specialised international vocational and technical programmes led by Singaporean experts, targeting leaders in vocational and technical training sectors and related fields across the region.

 

This reflects the implementation of the vision of HRH Crown Prince Hussein in building youth capabilities, enhancing Jordan’s regional standing and benefiting from outstanding global expertise in technical and vocational training, including the Singaporean experience.

 

The official agreement was signed in Singapore in January 2024 under the patronage of HRH the Crown Prince.

 

On the Jordanian side, it was signed by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan, and on the Singaporean side by Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth at the time Alexander Yeo.

 

Under this agreement, the "first" specialised regional training programme was implemented in Jordan, focusing on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Innovation Management, in collaboration with the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) and the Institute of Technical Education – Singapore (IPOS International).

 

The programme was with the support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, within the Asia-Middle East Development Programme (AMED).

 

The training programme brought together leaders from nine countries, alongside Singaporean experts and a team of specialised trainers from Jordan, the Vocational Training Corporation (VTC).

 

The "first" regional training course concluded under the patronage of Chairman of the VTC Board of Directors and Minister of Labour Khalid Bakkar, in the presence of Director General of the VTC Ahmad Gharaibeh, and Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Singapore in Jordan, Dina Haddad.

 

High-level delegations from nine countries participated, including representatives from Singapore, a Saudi delegation from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, a Bahraini delegation from the Prime Minister’s Office, Development and Planning Affairs office of the Deputy Prime Minister

 

It was also attended by an Indonesian delegation from the Ministry of Political and Security Coordination, a delegation from the Kingdom of Eswatini from the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology.

 

The attending delegates were also including; Malawian delegation from the President’s Office and Cabinet, a Maldivian delegation from the President’s Office, and a Tajik delegation from the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies, in addition to Jordanian trainees.

 

Certificates were awarded to participants who completed the programme.

 

Khalid Bakkar stated that the designation of the VTC as a regional centre for joint training reflects the foresight of HRH Crown Prince in empowering Jordanian youth and preparing them for the future.

 

This achievement embodies the international community’s confidence in Jordanian institutions and opens new avenues for cooperation and partnership in training, technology and innovation across the region.

 

Honorary Consul General of Singapore in Jordan, Dina Haddad, expressed pride in the "distinguished" partnership between the two countries, noting that Jordan’s selection as a permanent centre for implementing these training programmes confirms its human capital and institutional capacity to transfer knowledge and share expertise.

 

Hadded emphasised the anticipation of further fruitful collaboration with the VTC to enhance applied education and innovation in the region.

 

Ahmad Gharaibeh affirmed that this achievement demonstrates the confidence of international partners in the VTC’s competence and its "meticulous" follow-up on joint cooperation agreements, delivering added value that reflects the professionalism and quality of the Jordanian side in managing multinational training programs efficiently.

 

He highlighted that the VTC continues to update its curricula, integrating artificial intelligence, automation and innovation to align with the Economic Modernization Vision (EMV) and equip Jordanian youth with skills required for the future labor market.

 

Gharaibeh also noted that this success is a direct implementation of HRH Crown Prince’s vision, who, during his visit to Singapore, stressed the importance of transferring global experiences in vocational education and training to Jordan and building sustainable international partnerships that enhance competitiveness and innovation