Vocational training in Beqaa results in significant employment of women

The Integration of Beqaa Youth in Labor Market program organized yesterday a graduation ceremony for some 170 young men and women from Zahleh who successfully completed training of applied and theoretical courses in a number of professions. The program initiated last June (http://bit.ly/2h4HKn) by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Zahleh and Beqaa and which targeted the (16-35 years) age bracket based on a survey of the technical skills and requirements needed by in the Beqaa labor market, has resulted in the employment of 43 trainees. The head of the Public Relations and Training Department at the Chamber, project executive director, Maria Rizkallah, disclosed that out of some 500 students, around 85 young men and a corresponding 85 young women were shortlisted for the program. Trainees, she said, were distributed over the following professions: hospitality (10 males, 17 females); sales and marketing (27 males, 18 females); electricity of buildings and equipments (8 males); food safety  (7 males 17 females); auditing (5 males, 22 females); IT auditing (11 males, 23 females); car electricity and mechanics (9 males) and heating and cooling (7 males). Rizkallah also pointed out that while 87.5% of applicants were not contributors to family income, some 12.94% did actually contribute to their household income. Following contacts with local factories and establishments, some 25% of trainees were successfully employed (38% males and 62% females). (An Nahar, December 7, 2016)