Prime minister launches National Service for 20,000 Jordanian youth

AMMAN — Prime Minister Omar Razzaz on Monday inaugurated the launch of the National Service programme, a top government priority for the years 2019-2020, to provide vocational training for some 20,000 Jordanian youth.

The National Service programme, in cooperation between the Labour Ministry and the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, will provide vocational training in various fields of industry, construction and tourism, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, said.

It is part of the national renaissance project, which was driven by His Majesty King Abdullah’s directives, which includes — as pillars to progress — the state of law, the attainment of a productive economy and a state of solidarity, the premier reaffirmed. 

During the ceremony, held at the vocational training institute in Zarqa, Razzaz stressed that this non-mandatory programme which includes vocational and military training, was envisioned to engage and support youth, as well as builds a sense of active citizenship and instil the discipline and skills required in today’s economy.

Labour Minister Samir Murad, who attended the ceremony, said the programme comes in accordance with the King’s vision to invest in, and develop, Jordan’s human resources, as they are the cornerstone of sustainable development.

Notably, the previous mandatory military service for youths programme known as Banner Service, is now suspended, after it was temporarily relaunched and suspended again, around 10 years ago.

The new national programme is designed to substitute the old one, the only difference being that the new one is non-mandatory, according to Petra. The new programme is also aimed at supporting the national economy and supplying the market with qualified young personnel, while aligning the outputs of Jordan’s education systems — vocational and technical — with the needs of the labour market.

In alignment with the objectives of the National Strategy for Human Resources Development to stimulate participation in vocational and technical fields, the programme also encourages free entrepreneurship and supports the business environment, Murad said.

The programme provides interns with a JD100 monthly allowance, a daily meal, medical insurance in cases of work-related injuries and covers transportation fees, as well as the costs of uniforms and the issuance of a professional licence by the Centre of Accreditation and Quality Control.

The 476-hour programme has two stages: One month of military training, to include fitness activities, morale guidance and values of discipline, and a three-month phase for practical and theoretical training in workshops and laboratories.

Overall, the programme should equip trainees with a range of life skills, reinforced by courses on entrepreneurship and occupational health and safety.