AMMAN — Minister of Labour Khalid Bakkar on Thursday highlighted the vital role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in creating job opportunities for young people across the Kingdom.

 

Speaking at a graduation ceremony for 16 young women who completed a training course in knitting, sewing, and crochet, organised by the Hashemiyah Society for Social Development, Bakkar praised the ministry’s successful implementation of the Royal Initiative to establish production branches.

 

The minister stressed the importance of self-reliance by training and qualifying Jordanian youth of both genders in line with labour market needs, noting that unemployment, particularly among women, remains one of the Kingdom’s most pressing challenges.

 

He commended the Vocational Training Corporation (VTC) for its role in providing training centres and programmes that prepare young people for the workforce, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

 

Bakkar also highlighted ongoing efforts to promote Jordanian talent abroad, citing coordination with Germany and Italy to create overseas employment opportunities for Jordanian youth.

 

He urged young people to take advantage of financing opportunities provided by the Development and Employment Fund and the Ministry’s Vocational and Technical Education, Training, and Skills Development Support Fund to establish SMEs.