Discovering New Talent

Although there are many initiatives in Syria to reduce unemployment, most institutions and companies are experiencing serious shortages of skilled labour. Many promising, young individuals are ill-equipped to enter the labour market due to the lack of appropriate guidance and capacity building. Even those who manage to find employment discover that the information they have received is theoretical and needs to be complemented by practical skills to satisfy the requirements of their employers.

SKILLS (Superior Knowledge by Intensive Labour Learning Schemes) is an initiative launched by the Syrian Enterprise and Business Centre (SEBC) / SME Support Programme in cooperation with the European Training Foundation (ETF) and is an addition rather than an alternative to traditional higher education.

The young generation is the future of our country.
What we plant today, bears fruit tomorrow.

The SKILLS concept emerged to build the skills of young people with promising potential. SKILLS aims to complement rather than replace traditional higher education through providing the youth with specific knowledge and diversified practical skills to help them perform their jobs efficiently and professionally. In doing so, SKILLS meets two objectives:

• Facilitates job creation and thereby re¬duces unemployment
• Provides institutions and businesses with skilled employees to enhance their own performance and that of the national economy

SKILLS is targeted at open-minded, self motivated, ambitious, talented and keen on improving themselves, their families and their community.

Candidates are selected through a series of tests and those who are selected receive a one-year intensive English language course and an International Computer Drivers License and MS-project certificates. Students also receive a wide range of management courses covering 24 business areas and experience a six-month, on-the-job training period at a large company under the supervision of the SKILLS management. This gets them acquainted with successful local and international business executives and entrepreneurs who give them practical advice gained from real-life experience.

SKILLS graduates become members of SKILLS Graduates Club (SGC) and benefit from SEBC services (consultancy, training, incubation, etc.) in order to ensure continuous development.

For more information, please contact the Syrian Enterprise and Business Centre.