Crown Prince calls for training youth on technical, vocational skills

ZARQA — HRH Crown Prince Hussein on Monday underlined the need to provide young Jordanians with technical and vocational training to enable them to secure jobs available in the labour market and improve the competitiveness of the industrial sector.

At a meeting with the president and members of the Zarqa Chamber of Industry (ZCI), which is responsible for supervising Mafraq’s industrial sector, the Crown Prince listened to a briefing on the industrial situation in Mafraq and Zarqa.

ZCI President Haidar Amayreh said the industrial products of the two governorates have reached more than 100 countries due to their quality.

During the Crown Prince’s visit to a textiles factory in Zarqa, members of the chamber announced the establishment of a research and development fund, to receive 10 per cent of the ZCI’s annual budget.

The fund will cooperate with Zarqa and Mafraq universities, especially in the areas of vocational safety, health, water and energy.

Amayreh cited the Cabinet’s decision to establish a new industrial zone in Zarqa to cover increasing investment demands, noting Zarqa and Mafraq’s factories export $1 billion worth of products and contribute 50 per cent of the national industrial production.

Crown Prince Hussein also listened to a briefing by Mohammad Arslan, director general of the ZCI, on the competitive advantages of Zarqa and Mafraq. 

Arslan said the exports of companies affiliated with the ZCI reached $796 million last year, up from $662 million in 2012.

During a tour of the Jordan Worsted Mills Company, the Crown Prince listened to the experience of several workers at the company and the training they received.

He was accompanied by Minister of Industry and Trade Hatem Halawani and other senior officials.