Today, Emad Taha Al-Qasim, Chairman of the Aleppo Chamber of Industry, received Ms. Julia Becker, Head of the STEP program at the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). The meeting was attended by the Dual Vocational Education Advisor, Hamza Al-Youssef, along with several industrialists and dual education specialists from the Directorate of Education in Aleppo.During the meeting, the attendees emphasized the importance of reforming and developing technical and vocational education and training systems, improving governance frameworks and policies, and expanding the "Dual Education" model, which combines school-based learning with training in real-world work environments.The participants also reviewed plans for short-term training programs, labor market services, and fostering cooperation between training institutions and the private sector.It is worth noting that the STEP initiative is provided by Germany, Switzerland, and the European Union, running from March 2026 to February 2030. It works alongside relevant Syrian ministries to modernize vocational training, improve infrastructure, and support long-term economic recovery. Furthermore, it seeks to enhance employment opportunities through a package of interventions that include strengthening vocational education, building partnerships between local businesses and Syrian expatriate companies, and supporting vulnerable groups and returnees
11/8/2026
