Economic development has been crippled by the  severe restrictions on free movement of people, goods and services into, out of and within the West Bank. As consequence unemployment rates have soared in the Occupied Palestinian Territories especially for those who are trying to enter the job market for the first time.

In 2007, with Swiss co-funding, Welfare Association initiated a program to enhance sustainable employment potential for Palestinians and particularly for youth.  The following are success stories of trainees attending one of the pilot projects, an apprenticeship program supported by WA grant to Hebron Chamber of Commerce, and in cooperation with the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ).

Firas Al Ju'bah is 21 years old. He finished his 10th grade at school 4 years ago, and began to work in auto maintenance for a minimum wage.  When Firas joined the apprenticeship program, his supervisor was not happy because the program requested him to attend classes two days a week. When asked why he insisted on attending the program. Firas said: "With the encouragement of my father I joined the program because I have nothing to lose.  On the contrary I will develop my skills in industrial drawings, car mechanics, car electrical systems, etc...".  Now Firas is doing his practical training at the same auto maintenance shop where he used to work.  He said: "We have to develop ourselves to cope with modern life demands, nowadays you need technology to fix new cars, and the program I joined facilitates the training on all modern equipment."

Although he did not finish his training yet, Firas was offered two jobs, one in Ramallah and the other in Hebron but he rejected both preferring  to finish his apprenticeship.  

Hamzah Abu Samra is a 18 year old student who finished his 10th grade and attended the program in order to gain training and new skills. He started his practical training at Al-Haj Abed An Natsheh auto maintenance workshop. The shop owner wants Hamzeh to continue working with him after he finishes his apprenticeship. Hamzeh said: "I consider mechatronics as my own hobby.  I have liked it, since I was a little child, and I wanted to increase my knowledge in this field. The program will help me to develop a career for myself, increase my experience, learn new technology, and meet new people".

Mohamad Al-Ja'bary is a 17 year old orphan from a large family; most of his siblings are married. He lives with his young sister together with their mother. His mother is a retired teacher and the three of them have relied on her intermittent retirement salary for the last two years. Mohamad said "Mechatronics is my hobby, I used to work at a workshop that fixes old cars in the traditional way, but now the newer cars need different skills.   I need to update my skills in order to fix them. The program will help me a lot, and if I succeed to pass the exams, I will try to attend university."

Mohsen Al-Atrash is 18 years old, used to work in auto maintenance and earn NIS1000/month. Mohsen said "Since I am doing my practical training at the workshop now, I earn less, but I was able to start my own workshop with a partner. My partner now is running our shop, and when I graduate I will join him.  There will be is no need to work for others."

Khaled Quteish is 19 years old, and a graduate of the apprenticeship program 2004-2006, passed all the exams and earned his Tawjeehi diploma. Khaled  works at Al-Juneidy auto maintenance workshop.  When Khaled attended the program he used to work as an assistant in the workshop earning NIS 200/month. Now he earns NIS 800/month. The workshop owner said: "Our shop has a good reputation and we value our customers.  We invest a lot of money in new equipment and technology, we do our best to provide the best service by hiring the best skilful workers. We nominated Khaled to join the program in order to develop his skills.  After completing the program, Khaled's technical skills improved substantially, therefore we will nominate another worker in the future to receive training."

Khaled said: "I used to help those who were doing the work, and they used to give me small tasks. Now they trust my skills and they give me full responsibility to accomplish a complete task. The program provided me with self confidence and skills to do a better job in a shorter time."  

Prepared by: Samar Husary
Welfare Association, Ramallah