Damascus Chamber of Industry and HAND Launch Workshop to Enhance Vocational Training and Connect Youth with the Labor Market

As the Syrian economy seeks new drivers for growth and recovery, youth skills are emerging as a cornerstone in the reconstruction and development process. In this context, Damascus Chamber of Industry, in cooperation with HAND Organization, launched a specialized workshop titled “From Skills to Employment Opportunities: Towards Vocational Training Better Aligned with Labor Market Needs.” The event was attended by Mr. Abdullah Al-Zayed, Secretary of the Chamber, Mr. Waseem Saad, Director of the Chamber, and representatives of industrial companies from various sectors.

 

During the opening session, Mr. Abdullah Al-Zayed praised the ongoing cooperation between the Chamber and the organization, emphasizing that partnerships between the private sector and development organizations represent an effective model for ensuring business sustainability and creating real job opportunities for Syrian youth by equipping them with skills that match the actual needs of industrial enterprises.

 

For his part, Mr. Mohammad Nour Mahrousa, representative of the organization, presented the key features of the new vocational training and qualification project. He explained that the initiative aims to bridge the gap between labor market demands and available expertise, particularly in light of the growing focus on development projects and reconstruction efforts.

 

Mahrousa noted that the project was launched in response to the severe shortage of qualified technical labor in the local market, especially in vital and vocational professions. He stressed that the private sector will play a leading role in determining professional tracks that align with the requirements of the business environment.

 

The workshop, hosted at the Urwa Hall in the Umayyad Mosque, came in response to the rapid transformations within the industrial sector. It aimed to establish direct dialogue channels with representatives of Syrian industries to discuss the current labor market situation and the challenges facing industrial establishments, thereby contributing to the development of realistic vocational and technical training programs capable of meeting immediate employment and production needs.

 

The workshop sessions focused on several key themes, including conducting a detailed analysis of current labor market needs, identifying the skills gap, and examining the shared challenges facing the employment process in support of Syria’s economic recovery path.

 

Discussions also centered on identifying the most in-demand professions and crafts, evaluating the competence of recent graduates, identifying deficiencies in their technical and practical skills, and exploring the obstacles hindering the employment of local talent along with possible solutions.

 

A major debate during the workshop addressed whether vocational training should be viewed as an additional expense or as a long-term investment. Participants pointed out that current economic pressures lead some companies to perceive training as an unnecessary financial burden, preferring instead to allocate budgets toward salaries and direct operational expenses.

 

On the other hand, attendees emphasized the importance of convincing senior management in companies that training is a strategic investment that directly contributes to increasing productivity, reducing waste, and improving operational efficiency. Some participants also criticized the limited ability of certain human resources departments to provide accurate data demonstrating the return on investment in human capital, such as improved employee satisfaction and reduced turnover rates.

 

The workshop also addressed several logistical and structural challenges, most notably the shortage of trainers who combine strong technical expertise with effective communication skills, as well as the growing gap between graduates’ salary expectations and their actual competence and productivity levels.

 

As part of efforts to find practical solutions, the organization’s representative announced plans to establish direct networking channels with HR managers in factories and major institutions in order to unify visions and design specialized training pathways tailored to the immediate needs of each enterprise.

 

The workshop concluded with a key recommendation emphasizing that restoring the importance of research and development alongside vocational and technical training represents a fundamental pillar for ensuring the sustainability of both the industrial and commercial sectors in the coming phase

 

17/5/2026