Taheel Vocational Training Project

Donar: UNDP

Introduction: The rehabilitation project was implemented within the framework of stabilization and post-conflict recovery efforts in Nineveh Governorate, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with CLIC and implemented by the Iraqi Institution for Development (IID). The project responded to the shift from an emergency humanitarian context to a post-conflict phase, where new challenges emerged, including rising unemployment, limited job opportunities for youth and women, and continued fragility of local markets.

Project Objective: The project aimed to empower women and youth to acquire vocational skills demanded in the local labor market and link them to internship opportunities to enhance sustainable employment prospects, in alignment with the Iraqi National Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals related to job protection and support for small and medium enterprises.

Implementation Methodology: The project adopted a market-driven approach. A one-month rapid Labor Market Assessment (LMA) was conducted to identify the required skills in each targeted district. Based on the assessment results, seven vocational training fields were selected to meet local demand.

The project was implemented through five main phases:
- Establishment phase, including administrative preparation and obtaining official approvals.
- Community outreach and beneficiary selection phase.
- Three-month vocational training phase.
- Two-month internship program phase.
- Closure phase, including graduation ceremonies and job fairs.

Beneficiary Selection: A total of 198 beneficiaries (103 females and 95 males) were selected out of 200 targeted individuals through community outreach campaigns and coordination with local authorities. The selection process focused on the most vulnerable groups of unemployed and underemployed women and youth in the five targeted districts.

Vocational Training Phase: The vocational training phase lasted three months and was conducted in five training centers across the targeted districts, in cooperation with the Directorate of Labor and Social Affairs in Nineveh (DoLSA).

The training programs covered seven main fields:
- Graphic Design (Graphic/Photoshop)
- Electrical Installations
- Aluminum and PVC Works
- Food Preparation
- Marketing and Communication Skills
- Database Management
- Hairdressing and Beauty

The curricula were designed in line with local market needs, integrating both theoretical and practical components to ensure beneficiaries’ readiness for employment. The training focused on developing technical skills alongside essential workplace skills such as discipline, communication, and customer service.

Internship Phase: After completing vocational training, graduates joined a two-month internship program with 55 companies and local employers across the five districts. This phase aimed to enable beneficiaries to apply their skills in a real work environment and enhance sustainable employment opportunities.

The internship contributed to:
- Strengthening beneficiaries’ self-confidence.
- Building professional networks with employers.
- Facilitating the transition of some trainees into actual employment opportunities.

Participants received officially accredited certificates from the Directorate of Labor and Social Affairs – Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, which enhanced their competitiveness in the labor market.

Closing Activities and Job Fairs: Graduation ceremonies and job fairs were organized in each targeted district, providing beneficiaries with the opportunity to showcase their skills and directly engage with employers and local stakeholders. These events served as a platform to connect graduates with the labor market and strengthen partnerships with the private sector and the local community.

Achieved Results:
- 198 young women and men were trained in in-demand vocational skills.
- Beneficiaries participated in internships with 55 local employers.
- Participants’ employability was enhanced through accredited certificates and practical experience.
- Local economic stability was supported by supplying the market with new skills.

Challenges and Lessons Learned:
The project faced several challenges, including:

- Difficulty in reaching and convincing some employers to host trainees.
- Social attitudes toward women working in certain sectors.
- Administrative and coordination challenges during implementation.

Despite these challenges, the project demonstrated that market-driven training combined with real internship opportunities represents an effective model for supporting employment in post-conflict settings.

Conclusion: The Al-Ta’heel Project represents an integrated model linking vocational skills development with real employment pathways in Ninewa Governorate. By focusing on market needs and strengthening collaboration with vocational training centers and local businesses, the project contributed to economic empowerment of youth and women and supported broader stabilization and recovery efforts in post-conflict Iraq.