JEDCO Irbid.. Support that transforms ideas into projects and job opportunities

He added that the corporation implements specialized programs including the "Start Your Project" program with support reaching 50,000 Dinars for innovative ideas for those over 21 years old, and the "Tatweer" (Develop) program with similar funding to develop production, administrative, marketing, and quality systems for existing establishments. He pointed out that qualification goes through two stages; the first to verify eligibility and documents, and the second before a technical committee to evaluate project sustainability, product development, operational capacity, and competitive advantage.

Hijazi pointed out that the support extends to enabling projects to grow and face challenges by benefiting from the expertise of entities affiliated with JEDCO, such as the Clothing Design and Training Services Center, the Jordan Numbering Association, and the Jordan Export House. Regarding Karak, 40 projects benefited, providing 108 job opportunities with a support value of approximately 608,000 Dinars, including projects: Easy Robot Kit, Kids E Zone, and Samakieh for Vegetable Products. He concluded by emphasizing that the impact of the programs is measured periodically through indicators of sales growth, exports, and job opportunities.

Within the framework of integrating developmental roles in the governorate, the International Projects Unit at the Irbid Chamber of Industry forms an integrated umbrella for networking and training national cadres and supporting industrial establishments to meet labor market needs and provide sustainable employment opportunities for youth.

The Chairman of the Irbid Chamber of Industry, Hani Abu Hassan, confirmed that the establishment of the unit came under the directives of the Board of Directors as a strategic pillar that includes a specialized cadre that follows up on projects and implements professional courses that meet the realistic needs of the labor market. He explained that since its establishment in 2015, the unit has dealt with about 20,000 job seekers and succeeded in employing approximately 12,000 in various sectors and industrial establishments, which has positively reflected on reducing unemployment.

Abu Hassan added that the role of the unit goes beyond direct networking to providing technical and qualifying training targeting industrial establishments and job seekers through programs that end in direct employment. He pointed out the expansion of international cooperation horizons with the Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), ensuring the enhancement of the efficiency of the national workforce and strengthening its competitiveness.

For her part, the Human Resources Manager at Sharqi Sweets, Ms. Haya Jaradat, confirmed that the establishment was able to benefit from the unit by employing 20 young men and women who received high-level training and qualification. She pointed out that "Sharqi Sweets" is distinguished by having several branches in Irbid Governorate, and this cooperation has contributed to the expansion and sustainability of the excellence of the chain of branches thanks to the skill of the qualified youth.

"Bella Pharmaceutical Industries" factory.. A milestone honored with the Silver Jubilee and expanding globally. In embodying distinguished success stories, the Bella Pharmaceutical Industries factory in Al-Hassan Industrial City constitutes a milestone in the pharmaceutical sector; as it was able to start from Irbid to reach global markets with its products.

The General Manager and owner of the factory, Mr. Bashar Al-Batayneh, confirmed that the factory employs 175 entirely Jordanian female workers, achieving successes for which it deserved royal honor by receiving the Silver Jubilee Medal from His Majesty King Abdullah II.

Al-Batayneh indicated that the factory benefited from JEDCO programs, specifically the "Your Export on Us" program to modernize industries and facilitate exports, revealing the factory's current trend to explore an investment partnership to open a new branch and factory in the Republic of Kazakhstan. He called for the importance of raising the ceiling of support and reopening the door for benefit to factories and companies that have achieved successes to enable them to continue expansion and production.

Among the success stories in Irbid, the "Jordanian Steps of Creativity" Academy for training and developing culinary arts stands out. Its owner, Ms. Ruba Al-Zoubi, explained that the academy was opened to qualify and train those wishing to obtain a "Chef" profession, and it grants certificates officially accredited by the Ministry of Labor.

Al-Zoubi pointed out that she applied to the JEDCO program through the "Develop Your Project" project, and received financial support that enabled her to establish a second training kitchen that accommodates 20 people, which contributed to training and qualifying a large number of young men and women and enabling them to enter the labor market.

In an inspiring entrepreneurial story, the "Musab Accessories" project proved the ability of people with disabilities to actively join the productive segment.

Ms. Umm Musab Al-Qasrawi, mother of the entrepreneur Musab who has an intellectual disability, said that the project started as simple home work before applying to the "Develop Your Project" program from JEDCO. She confirmed that obtaining financial support contributed to developing and expanding the project and allocating a space to train a large number of people with intellectual disabilities, which helped them acquire productive skills that make them useful to their community and supportive of their families while boosting their self-confidence and opening new horizons for reaching larger markets.

She added that the project received a kind gesture and support represented by the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, the Crown Prince, to Musab at his home, after Musab gifted him one of his handmade crafts, a gesture that formed a great moral incentive for Musab and his family to continue creativity and excellence.