KAB Follow-Up Workshop

9-11 December 2012: Erbil-Kurdistan, Iraq

Under the framework of the recently launched ILO/UNESCO project entitled “Expansion of the KAB programme in Kurdistan targeting students enrolled in vocational education institutions and unemployed youth graduates of TVET”, a KAB follow-up workshop was held in Erbil by two KAB Regional Key Facilitators (RKFs).

The workshop was attended by 12 participants (4 teachers and 1 supervisor from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and 6 teachers and one supervisor form the Ministry of Education). During the workshop, participants shared their KAB teaching experiences and KAB supervisors reported the challenges they faced in implementing class visits outside Erbil due to administrative issues.

Training sessions were delivered by participants covering the new topics added to the KAB package, namely greening enterprises, Decent Work, Gender and people with disabilities. The suggested changes and sequence of topics proposed in the KAB 2013 version, (still in its draft form), were also presented to get the feedback and endorsement of the teachers before proceeding with translation and printing of the Kurdish KAB 2013 version. Finally, it was suggested to invite the old KAB facilitators trained under an earlier ILO project from both Ministries to participate in the second follow- workshop that will be held in February 2013 to increase the pool of teachers and equip the Ministries with a sufficient number of teachers to deliver the programme to the largest number of classes.

ILO and the Welfare Association sign a partnership agreement to promote entrepreneurship education in the oPt.

The Welfare Association (WA) signed, on Thursday July 12^th, a partnership agreement with the International Labour Organization (ILO) in its headquarter in Ramallah, in the aim to support the nationalization  of the ILO entrepreneurship education package ‘’ Know About Business ‘’ in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The agreement was signed by the Director General of WA in Palestine, Dr. Tafida Al Jarbawi, and by the ILO country representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, Mr. Mounir Kleibo. The event was attended by officials from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Labour.

Dr. Al Jarbawi pointed out the importance of youth employment and youth education both representing priority areas of intervention for the WA. A total of USD 17 million was allocated to implement youth employment projects and to support young entrepreneurs in the establishment of their small businesses and thus create job opportunities. The latter contributed to the creation of hundreds of job opportunities for new graduates coming from vocational training and academic backgrounds; in addition, tens of small enterprises were established and have helped entrepreneurs generate income to support their families in different regions.

Dr. Al Jarbawi confirmed the importance of the ILO  initiative to nationalize the "Know About Business" Programme  in the occupied Palestinian territory and the extent of its contribution to support vocational education, develop the entrepreneurial skills of graduates, and strengthen the link between the education system and the labour market.

Mr. Mounir Kleibo thanked the WA for its financial contribution to the KAB project and reiterated ILO’s strong commitment to promote decent and productive work in Palestine while focusing on women and youth.

A press release by the Al Ayyam newspaper can be accessed on the following link: http://www.al-ayyam.com/article.aspx?did=195334&date

The International Training Centre or the ILO in Turin will held an international training of trainers forum from 12th to 23rd of November 2012.

It comprises a 1) three days generic training of trainers and 2) seven days specialist training of trainers concerning ILO training packages on aspects of entrepreneur and enterprise development - including KAB, My COOP, Value-Chain Development, Gender Strategies for Value Chain Development, Women’s Entrepreneurship Development - Capacity Development Programme.

The Business Development Center, which is currently ILO's national counterpart in Jordan for the delivery of KAB at the National Company for Employment and Training, hosted around 40 activities and workshops on entrepreneurship which were attended by 577 participants as part of the annual celebration for  "The Global Entrepreneurship Week 2011" from November 14th  -21st  2011. BDC aimed to contribute to fostering an entrepreneurship culture in Jordan.

The activities included awareness sessions for youth targeting Jordanian senior undergraduates from different universities and fresh graduates in different governorates.

37 activities were conducted in universities from 16 to 21 November and included interactive discussions and exercises facilitated by trainers specialized in entrepreneurship. Jordanian entrepreneurs shared the secrets behind their success and explained how they overcame all challenges faced in establishing and managing a business.

BDC launched the 36th  Entrepreneurship Training Workshop on November 19th , 2011 with the participation of 18 business men and women.

Additionally, BDC conducted a "Youth Entrepreneurship Training" workshop in Aqaba. 35  fresh graduates coming from different universities and who were willing to open their own businesses participated in the training which lasted for 10 hours and focused on entrepreneurship attitudes and skills. The workshop was facilitated by a UNCTAD certified trainer,  Mr. Fadi Sharaiha. The same workshop was also held in Amman from November 25 to 30 and was attended by 19 entrepreneurs.

A KAB Training of Facilitators' workshop (ToF) was held at the Riyadh College of Telecommunication and Information in the presence of 28 males participants ((24 teachers, 1 KAB national coordinator from RIYADAH and 3 supervisors).

The workshop was launched by the newly appointed CEO of RIYADAH, Dr. Sherif Elabdelwahab, who stressed on the need to promote self-employment as career option among Saudi youth (men and women) and be able, through RIYADAH, to reach those who are part of the educational system and those who graduated from the system and remain without jobs. A short opening speech was made by the Enterprise Development Specialist highlighting the importance of entrepreneurship education for youth and the role of the ILO/RO-Beirut in the region in that field.

The TOF was held from 19 November till 01 December 2011 and was facilitated by Mr. Samih Jaber, ILO KAB Regional Key Facilitator, and Mr. Wael Ghosn, KAB Regional Key Facilitator. 

Under the framework of the Entrepreneurial Learning project, a KAB Awareness Raising Workshop was jointly held by the European Training Foundation (ETF), UNESCO and ILO to raise awareness on entrepreneurship education and the ILO Know About Business programme amongst policymakers, government officials and senior educators in Lebanon.

The Workshop was facilitated by Mr. Samih Jaber, KAB Regional Key Facilitator in the presence of the Enterprise Development Specialist Ms. Rania Bikhazi. Workshop participants included the Advisor to the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Director General of General Education, Vocational Training and General Education School directors, and other government officials.

Preparing youth for self-employment and enterprise development is key to national education efforts in Arab countries. The workshop introduced participants to the ILO Know About Business programme, its objectives, implementation methodology and sustainability strategy. Participants drafted and endorsed a detailed work plan for the implementation of KAB in Lebanon during the 2012-2013 academic year.

Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare.

During one week each November, GEW inspires people everywhere through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators. These activities, from large-scale competitions and events to intimate networking gatherings, connect participants to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors—introducing them to new possibilities and exciting opportunities.

GEW is more than just an awareness campaign supported by world leaders and celebrity entrepreneurs. It is about unleashing ideas and doing what it takes to bring them to life—spotting opportunities, taking risks, solving problems, being creative, building connections and learning from both failure and success. It is about thinking big and making your mark on the world—doing good while doing well at the same time.

For more information visit:
http://www.unleashingideas.org/