Culture Of Shame No Longer Hinders Jordanian Youth From Vocational Careers, Official Says

Amman, Sep. 7 (Petra) -- Vocational Training Corporation (VTC) Director General Raafat Al-Sawafin stated Monday that the "culture of shame" is fading among Jordanian youth, as economic realities and the scarcity of desk jobs prompt a more pragmatic approach to career selection.

Speaking to Al Mamlaka TV, Al-Sawafin noted that the perception of vocational work has shifted significantly. Vocational fields are no longer viewed solely as traditional manual labor but now encompass technology, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and green skills aligned with local, regional, and international labor market demands.

"Jordan is entering an era of skills rather than degrees," Al-Sawafin said, attributing the rise in vocational and technical training enrollment to this broader shift. He added that young Jordanians are increasingly evaluating salary prospects and defined career paths before committing to a field.

Addressing the reliance on foreign labor in certain sectors, Al-Sawafin argued that it does not reflect a refusal by Jordanians to take up manual work due to societal stigma but rather the historical absence of clear career progression in those roles.

He highlighted that VTC training programs integrate local and European standards, alongside the dual-training system utilized in Germany. The curricula now incorporate digital skills, vocational AI applications, languages, occupational safety, entrepreneurship, and essential workplace life skills.

//Petra// AF

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