Within the framework of strengthening the partnership between the public and private sectors and developing national cadres, the Damascus and Rural Damascus Chamber of Industry participated in a workshop on the "Governance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Syria." The event was organized by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO), with the participation of representatives from national ministries, institutions, employers' and workers' organizations, alongside technical and international partners.The opening session was attended by Dr. Raghda Zeidan, Deputy Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, and Ms. Claire Courteille, Deputy Regional Director for Arab States at the International Labour Organization.The Damascus and Rural Damascus Chamber of Industry was represented by Eng. Muhammad Ayman Al-Mawlawi, Chairman of the Chamber, and Eng. Wafaa Abu Labdeh, Board Member and Head of the Industrial Businesswomen Committee, in the presence of Wasim Saad, Director of the Chamber. This participation highlights the Chamber's commitment to contributing to the development of the education and training system to meet the needs of national industry and the labor market.The workshop aimed to discuss the current state of technical and vocational education and training in Syria, define institutional roles, and establish coordination mechanisms among relevant parties, with the ultimate goal of formulating practical priorities that contribute to building a more efficient and effective governance system for this vital sector.Over two days, participants discussed several key themes. These included analyzing the current state of the TVET sector, reviewing existing programs and initiatives, and examining successful international experiences in governance and institutional arrangements. Additionally, the sessions focused on identifying key challenges and opportunities, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and enhancing the alignment of education and training outcomes with labor market needs through sectoral tools and specialized advisory committees.During her participation, Eng. Wafaa Abu Labdeh emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between educational institutions and the industrial sector. She noted that this cooperation helps prepare qualified cadres possessing the skills required by productive sectors, enhances the competitiveness of national industry, and supports sustainable economic development efforts.The workshop concluded with a set of recommendations that stressed the necessity of establishing a unified national framework for the governance of technical and vocational education and training. This framework should be based on partnership and institutional coordination among various stakeholders, led by a national entity responsible for steering the sector and overseeing its development. This entity would be supported by a technical secretariat and specialized committees focusing on planning, quality, accreditation, the labor market, and data management.Furthermore, the recommendations highlighted the importance of developing a national information system and an integrated database to support planning and decision-making. They also emphasized enhancing partnerships with the private sector and linking education and training outcomes with labor market needs to improve employment opportunities, raise human resource efficiency, and support economic development in Syria
29/6/2026
