Iraqi Youth Initiative Launches Employment Promotion to Help Young People Find Jobs

BAGHDAD - On May 5, 2011, the U.S. Government funded Iraqi Youth Initiative launched a Youth Employment Promotion to help recently trained young people find jobs in their communities.

Source: USAID-Tijara Provincial Economic Growth Program

Iraqi Youth Initiative Director Raymond Mendenilla (extreme right) explains the activities of the program to Dr. Salman Al-Zubaidey (second right), Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The initiative, part of the USAID-Tijara Provincial Economic Growth Program, provides training in basic English, computer operation, interview skills, and business etiquette so participants are ready for interviews with sponsors who are offering three-month apprenticeship positions. Enrollees also receive assistance in preparing resumes in Arabic and English. The program is being operated through 12 provincial Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) supported by the USAID-Tijara program.

Funded with $12 million from the Targeted Development Program of the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, the Iraqi Youth Initiative is providing opportunities for young people to establish new businesses, earn income, and generate additional employment. The Youth Employment Promotion activity is working with close to 200 businesses that have nearly 900 apprenticeships waiting to be filled.

Launched a year ago in Najaf, the Iraqi Youth Initiative has provided over $1 million in grants for training courses and microfinance loans to start new businesses. Currently, 80 percent of the young entrepreneurs trained through the program receive loans averaging $3,000 to create new businesses. Each new business generates roughly 3.5 new permanent jobs.

“Before launching this activity, we found over 200 sponsors and close to 900 apprenticeships, ensuring that each beneficiary has the opportunity to receive an apprenticeship,” said Raymond Mendenilla, the Iraqi Youth Initiative’s director. “We are measuring this new activity’s success through apprenticeships being filled rather than how many youths are being trained.”

From the apprenticeships, the Youth Employment Promotion is expected to ultimately help create over 500 permanent jobs for Iraqi young people.

For further information, please contact the small business development center in your province or visit their website at: www.sbdc-iraq.com.