Khaberni - Mohammad Ghaith, the Secretary-General for Vocational and Technical Education at the Ministry of Education, confirmed that the ministry adopts a calculated expansion policy in vocational and technical education in line with the royal vision translated through the economic modernization vision approved by the government, aiming to increase the enrollment rate in the vocational and technical track to 50% by the year 2032.
According to a statement from the ministry on Thursday, Ghaith confirmed that the ministry has been restructuring vocational education for the past three years and that currently, there are 331 schools offering vocational and technical education programs with about 49,000 students, offering 12 vocational programs which will be increased to 15 next year, aligning with the national population strategy.
He explained during his participation in the high-level meeting on the demographic situation and tracking the performance of the national population strategy (2021-2030), which was recently held at the Dead Sea, organized by the Higher Population Council in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund and with the participation of the secretaries-general of ministries and general directors of departments and institutions and the secretaries-general of the relevant councils, that this expansion comes in response to employment challenges and the need to enhance practical training and partnership with the private sector to ensure the alignment of education with labor market needs.
He pointed out that the BTEC system is an international system implemented in more than 70 countries and benefits about a million students. It is based on learning through practice, tasks, and projects. Its implementation in Jordan will help develop vocational education by fostering innovation, improving students' readiness for the labor market, and creating new employment opportunities. These vocational programs have been designed in accordance with the national labor market needs.
He noted that despite some natural challenges in the expansion path of vocational education, the ministry is seriously and continuously working to overcome any obstacles that might hinder the success of this policy. He mentioned that the ministry has carried out comprehensive maintenance of vocational schools, upgraded their workshops, equipped them with modern, high-level equipment that meets international standards and labor market needs, and has employed qualified and highly competent staff to ensure the quality of training and practical application.
He emphasized that the ministry places great importance on vocational awareness, informing students and their families about the job opportunities provided by vocational and technical education. Through vocational guidance forums and awareness programs in directorates, the ministry works to break the stereotype and the culture of shame associated with professions and to promote a positive view of this track, which is considered a modern, promising, and fundamental path in job creation, opportunity making, and achieving economic development.
Ghaith stressed the importance of integrating all efforts and initiatives to enhance the education and training sector and to empower students and youth in Jordan, keeping pace with the rapid developments in various sectors, leading to a vocational education system capable of creating opportunities, developing skills, and supporting the national economy.
