Jordan
The European Training Foundation (ETF) has been supporting Jordan since 1998 to develop education and training to boost employability, increase access to opportunities and promote social cohesion complementing the work of the European Commission and the EU’s External Action Service, including responding to requests from the Delegation of the European Union to Jordan. The ETF supports policy dialogue with input to bilateral subcommittee meetings, monitoring the European Neighbourhood Policy action plans and annual country updates, and provides advice and technical assistance on the EU Sector Reform contract, particularly related to social partnership and the labour market.
The ETF reports on wider human capital developments within the Torino Process. It also cooperates with other bilateral and international donors, in particular the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on sector skills’ councils.
Read our 2024 update on Key policy developments in education, training and employment (2024). For a quick overview, see below:
2024 developments at a glance
🌎 Socio-political-environmental context: regional and global crises, including the Syrian conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the current war in Gaza, have dominated Jordan’s socio-political landscape in recent years. In addition, addressing the challenges of water scarcity and climate change are critical to ensuring economic recovery and sustainability;
🏛️ Economic and policy reform: the Economic Modernisation Vision 2022-2033 was expanded based on three strategic pillars of economic growth, quality of life, and sustainability. An ambitious target was set to create one million jobs by 2033, emphasising women’s participation in the labour market and green jobs. Lending further support to Jordan’s stability and modernisation goals was the new Statement on the EU-Jordan Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership. Signed at the beginning of 2025, it focuses on sustainable growth through investment and strengthening ties through trade, civil society engagement, and participation in EU programmes;
🎓Education reform: the National Strategy for Human Resources Development 2016-2025 provides the overall strategic document for all levels and types of education and training in the country. The key policy document for the education sector, The Strategic Plan for Education 2018-2022, was extended to 2025, aligning with Education Sector Vision 2033 and the Strategic Roadmap 2022-2033, which details objectives and priorities to improve the quality of all levels of education;
🏫 Technical vocational education and training (TVET): the National TVET Strategy 2023-2027, developed by the Technical and Vocational Skills Development Commission (TVSDC), aims to improve governance, enhance the appeal, quality and relevance of VET, and facilitate the transition from education to employment. Replacing the outdated national curriculum with internationally recognised BTEC qualifications is a positive step towards equipping graduates with skills needed in the labour market. This should help make VET more attractive and target the current low participation;
✅TVET governance: The TVSDC was created to reduce fragmentation between different education providers and accreditation bodies in the vocational educational sector. Plans to integrate VET into a new Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development by 2025 aim to improve VET coordination and delivery, while Sector Skills Councils should strengthen links with the private sector;
🛠️ Work-based learning (WBL): A National Framework for Work-Based Learning is being developed under the new TVET Strategy 2023-2027. The agencies involved in the delivery of VET and TVET are incorporating WBL into education programmes and building closer partnerships with businesses in the private sector;
💼 Labour market challenges: Jordon has a persistently high unemployment rate, particularly among young people aged 15-24 (46%) and women (66.2%). The National Career Guidance strategy appears to be driving strong student engagement in career development activities, including internships, job shadowing, and advisor consultations. While these efforts should support a smoother transition from education to employment, the ability of the economy to provide quality employment opportunities remains a challenge;
👦 👧 Youth in focus: skills mismatch and a negative perception of certain types of occupations contribute to the high levels of young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs). The implementation of the regional EU-funded initiative titled Y-NEET: Young NEETs in the Southern Neighbourhood 2024-2026, aims to improve outcomes for young people by enhancing public policies and employment services, introducing innovative outreach strategies, and piloting new effective support measures;
🌿 Green skills development: increasing water scarcity and climate-related impacts pose risks to Jordan’s economic stability, necessitating continued investment in green skills and sustainability education.
Priorities for 2025
👉 Ongoing development of a national concept of VET excellence to enhance the quality, relevance and responsiveness of Jordan’s VET system.
👉 Strengthen the effectiveness of EU budget support for education through updated programming and improved monitoring indicators aligned with national priorities.