Jordan Times
Friday, March 31, 2006
Report assesses gaps between higher education, labour market demands
AMMAN (JT) — Higher education officials have received a set of recommendations aimed at improving the synergy between student output and labour market needs.
The recommendations, to be reviewed by the
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) over the coming
weeks, were presented earlier this week during the launch of a report on the
“Assessment of gaps between knowledge skills acquired through higher education
and labour market demands in Jordan.”
The pilot study is part of the “Higher Education and Labour Market” project and
funded by UNDP's Arab Human Development Trust Fund and implemented by MoHESR in
cooperation with UNDP.
The project addresses one of the contributing factors to unemployment in Jordan
— the mismatch between qualifications acquired through the higher education
system and those required by the labour market.
A local consulting company conducted study to assess the skills and knowledge
acquired by university graduates in IT and business administration on the one
hand, and present and future trends in labour market demands on the other.
Some 200 specialists in employment services, training and human resource
management, private, public sector, university and students' representatives
provided their input in a workshop last year.
Participants discussed the possible development of Employment Support Services (ESS)
to be institutionalised within the MoHESR and reached consensus on what they
believed to be most critical for the development of ESS for higher education.
They also generated key strategies and initial ideas for actions, which could be
considered in realising the common ground. The results of this workshop helped
formulate a policy paper on institutionalising the provision of ESS into the
higher education sector.
The project proposes establishing a specialised unit within the MoHESR to ensure
that university programmes are updated in line with labour-market trends. The
unit will play a central role in introducing and regulating ESS within
universities.
The model will promote linkages between the private sector and universities and
assist graduates in finding employment.
According to UNDP Resident Representative Mona Hider, the results of the project
open up different avenues for change and progress and suggest ways forward for
larger interventions in order to address this gap in a sustainable manner.
Hider said the step was taken to maximise the potential and productivity of
students entering the workforce.
“The study is especially important for the country as more than half of its
population are less than 25 years of age, with 23 per cent of university
graduates currently unemployed,” said Hider.
According to official figures, one out of five holders of a bachelors degree or
higher are currently unemployed.
Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Khalid Touqan said the Kingdom took many strides to improve the education
system, with a particular focus on higher learning.
Speaking at the launch of the report, he said both the ministry and universities
focused on improving languages, communication skills, English and IT, vocational
know-how in various disciplines, applied sciences and new specialisations which
directly contribute to market needs.
Higher education curricula and study plans and methods of learning and teaching
were also revised to reflect employment needs of graduates and their employers,
he added.
“Our higher education institutions have taken crucial steps in preparing
graduates for the market through career preparation and career enhancement
activities,” said Touqan.
He added that several units linking key industries with higher education
institutions have been opened and are fully functioning at public universities,
along with business incubators.