Digital Empowerment in Iraq: Bridging Education, Employment, and Entrepreneurship

UNIDO conducted A workforce training course titled “Computer Network, Cybersecurity, and Entrepreneurship Development” was conducted. The activity was part of the Austrian Government-funded initiative Digital Technology Skills to Enhance Employability in Iraq, which aims to strengthen digital and entrepreneurial skills among young people, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and host community members.

By providing practical, future-ready training, the programme helps participants improve their employability and contribute to local innovation and economic growth.

A total of 21 young people, including 12 men and 9 women aged between 19 and 28, took part in the 12-day course. Participants came from diverse educational backgrounds such as computer science, information technology, electrical engineering, business administration, and economics. This diversity reflected the multidisciplinary approach of the training and its inclusive nature.

The technical sessions were led by four experienced trainers in computer networking and cybersecurity. They were supported by national experts from the Iraqi Ministry of Industry and Minerals, specifically from the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Development Department, which plays an important role in supporting SME registration, capacity-building, and start-up assistance across Iraq. Their involvement ensured that the training content aligned with national strategies for digital transformation and entrepreneurship, while also providing participants with guidance on business development and regulatory procedures.

For many participants, the training was more than a learning opportunity. It was a chance to connect academic knowledge with real-world application.

Hanan Ihsan Jassim, a senior student in Digital Technology, joined the training to gain practical experience beyond her university coursework and volunteer projects.

“This training helped me develop myself and be more responsible,” she said.

Hanan was particularly interested in the combination of networking and cybersecurity, two areas she considers essential in today’s job market. She also appreciated the entrepreneurship component, which encouraged her to think more concretely about starting her own business.

“I felt that the workshop made me connect my studies to real-life application and helped me think in a broader way,” she explained.

The experience gave her greater confidence in her career ambitions.

“I feel more confident in applying to companies because I now have practical technical skills. At the same time, I have the ambition to start my own project in the future.”

She also spoke about the atmosphere of the training.

“I felt positive energy from all the participants, and we were all excited to learn and benefit.”

Another participant, Nouran Hamid Dakhal, also a student of Digital Technology, joined the training with clear technical goals. Through her academic research, she had already developed an interest in networking and cybersecurity, and she saw the workshop as a valuable opportunity to deepen her expertise.

“I registered because it focused on networks and cybersecurity, fields that are still emerging in my country, with limited training opportunities and few specialized institutions,” she said.

For Nouran, the course was especially useful because it combined technical instruction with practical application. It helped her better understand core concepts in cybersecurity and networking, while also introducing the importance of entrepreneurship and intellectual property in protecting innovative ideas.

“If I continue to develop my skills in cybersecurity, I will have access to roles that were previously out of reach, such as vulnerability analysis, network security management, or work in a Security Operations Center,” she explained.

Nouran also emphasized the value of collaboration.

“The workshop helped me connect communication and information security in a clear and realistic way,” she said. “The trainers and participants were highly engaged, and the learning environment was very interactive.”

This training forms part of a larger series of activities supported by the Austrian Government in Iraq under the Digital Technology Skills to Enhance Employability in Iraq initiative. The programme promotes digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and inclusive employment opportunities.

By equipping young people, especially those from vulnerable communities, with practical skills, the initiative supports national recovery, business development, and social cohesion. Through efforts like this, the Austrian Government and its partners contribute to long-term community resilience, youth empowerment, and sustainable economic growth across Iraq.