Launch of the STEP Program in Syria to Boost Vocational Education, Employment, and Reconstruction

With a joint international and local vision aiming to bridge the gap between academic classrooms and factory gates, the first steering committee meeting for the launch of the "Vocational Education, Training, and Employment Promotion Program in Syria (STEP)" commenced at the headquarters of the Ministry of Education in Damascus.

 

The meeting was attended by His Excellency the Minister of Education, Dr. Mohammad Abdul Rahman Turko; Deputy Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Dr. Raghda Zaidan; and representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Industry. Also present were representatives from the European Union, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. The Damascus and Countryside Chamber of Industry also marked an active presence, represented by the Chairman of its Board of Directors, Eng. Mohammad Ayman Al-Mawlawi, and Chamber Board Member, Mr. Karim Al-Khaja.

 

In his opening speech, the Minister of Education, Dr. Mohammad Abdul Rahman Turko, emphasized the vital importance of practical training as the backbone of vocational education, which will play a major role in the reconstruction of Syria. He also discussed the structure of the vocational education system and the ministry's strategy, defining three distinct pathways: the first spans three years, the second five years, and the third is an academic pathway extending from seven to eight years. He noted that work is underway to develop these tracks both horizontally and vertically in terms of available professions, while integrating practical application to link vocational education directly with the labor market, ensuring graduates can keep pace with required skills.

 

For her part, Tanya Loman, the Country Director of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in Syria, pointed out that the current phase provides an opportunity to build sustainable, long-term partnerships with ministries and relevant authorities. This, she stated, contributes to supporting the recovery process and developing national capacities. She explained that the steering committee represents an essential framework for guiding the program and defining its priorities, confirming the commitment of GIZ teams to daily cooperation with local partners to ensure the effective and sustainable implementation of the program.

 

In his intervention, Eng. Mohammad Ayman Al-Mawlawi expressed his deep appreciation for the continuous support provided by GIZ, the European Union, and all donor countries to Syria at this critical stage, particularly the focus on training and qualification. Al-Mawlawi stressed the urgent and pressing need for training programs, not only in the industrial sector but across all professions and crafts. He highlighted a severe shortage of qualified personnel at present, especially with the launch of numerous new projects related to reconstruction and real estate development. Al-Mawlawi warned that Syria would face a real and suffocating labor crisis once these projects expand on a larger scale.

 

The Chairman issued a direct call to the Ministry of Education to review the licensing conditions for vocational training centers, demanding simplified procedures and greater flexibility. He urged the ministry to incorporate this vision into its strategic plans and establish a legal and coordinative framework to bridge current gaps in the labor market. He also reiterated that the primary focus of the Chamber of Industry is to secure a trained workforce for the industrial sector, a file that is being actively pursued in cooperation with international organizations and relevant labor institutions.

 

On his part, Mr. Karim Al-Khaja focused on the strategic dimension of vocational and dual education as an indispensable pillar for the advancement of Syrian industry. He explained that the Chamber is moving seriously in coordination with the Ministry of Education to attract passionate youth and qualify them to inject new blood into production lines. He noted that Syrian industry today needs to build strong partnerships, particularly with the European Union, to reach specific export agreements and enable local companies to obtain internationally accredited quality certifications that facilitate product access to global markets. He added that industrial growth and sustainability are contingent upon the capacity to export to wider markets, and work is currently underway with relevant ministries to support this direction, praising GIZ's supportive role in this matter.

 

It is worth noting that the STEP program is a multi-donor initiative jointly funded by the governments of Germany and Switzerland, and the European Union. Its implementation period spans four years, from March 2026 to February 2030. The program focuses on supporting the structural capacities of the Syrian government, balancing short-term and long-term support, with special attention given to returnees and their areas of return, while involving expatriate businesses to achieve social cohesion

 

20/6/2026