SKILLS - Superior Knowledge by Intensive Labour Learning Schemes, a mini business school initiated by SEBC signed a cooperation agreement with MAS Economic Group at the Cham Palace in Damascus on 11 November, 2009.

The agreement comes as part of the framework of SEBC for supporting the business sector in Syria, particularly in building the capacities of the labour market with skilled human recourses and practical experiences to meet the demand of the job market.

The Memo of Understanding (MoU) places the principals of cooperation between MAS Economic Group and the SKILLS programme to provide training to students and graduates with the necessary knowledge and practical skills in order for them to find jobs.

Dr Rateb al-Shallah, President of the Board of Directors of SEBC, explained that the agreement with MAS Economic Group comes as a step to strengthen the association with the business sector through providing SKILLS students with practical skills to compliment their theoretical knowledge. Al-Shallah referred to the role of SKILLS in developing the capacities of Syrians through graduating students with professional skills, entrepreneurial qualities and leadership characteristics adding that SEBC plans on signing similar agreements with other similar national firms.

Firas Tlas, President of MAS Economic Group expressed his pleasure in signing the agreement which have the SKILLS students - young, enthusiastic  as interns and perhaps as qualified employees after that, trained by professional experts. He stressed that the group also is eager to contribute to the transfer of the group’s expertise to SKILLS students in the practical training period for them to have a strong entrance to the labour market.

Nawaf Zeidan, Manager of SKILLS pointed out to the importance of linking education with training. “SKILLS ensure real practical training after acquiring knowledge in order to eliminate the gap between the skills of graduates and the needs of the business sector.

SKILLS is an initiative of SEBC and the SME Support Programme (SSP) in cooperation with the European Training Foundation (ETF) aiming to provide institutions and businesses with skilled employees to enhance their own performance and that of the national economy.

SKILLS also established the SKILLS Graduates Club (SGC) where graduates can benefit from its services in consultancy, training and incubation in addition to ensuring continuous contact and communication between all 3 classes of SKILLS. The number of SKILLS students up until now has reached 240 students.

MAS Economic Group (MAS) was established in 1980. MAS is the acronym for the Arabic phrase "For the Sake of Syria” and works in almost all areas of the economy, agriculture, industry, trade and real-estate.