Strategic Partnership Launched Between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Higher Council for Youth to Empower Iraqi Youth for Job Market Entry

During the opening, Mr. Ali Hilal Khalaf, Executive Director of the Higher Council for Youth, welcomed the partnership, highlighting its potential to empower Iraqi youth as future leaders in sustainable development. Dr. Maha Kattaa, ILO Country Coordinator in Iraq, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in building a national network of trainers to foster knowledge transfer and enhance sustainable employment opportunities, supporting Iraqi youth's aspirations toward new career fields that contribute to sustainability, address unemployment, and promote inclusivity in the labor market.

Mr. Qasim Al-Zalmi, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs, underscored the need to adapt training programs to meet the specific needs of Iraqi society and the local labor market, ensuring that knowledge reaches all provinces and fosters effective youth integration into the Iraqi economy. He emphasized that this partnership serves as a model of fruitful cooperation that achieves sustainable results and develops an informed generation capable of tackling future challenges.

The primary objective of the program is to train cadres from the Higher Council for Youth to become national trainers capable of conducting specialized workshops for Iraqi youth on career selection, job search strategies, and guiding them toward green economy employment opportunities. Additionally, the program includes training for trainers in labor law, social security, and decent work, enhancing youth awareness of their labor rights and promoting a safe environment that upholds decent work standards. Moreover, the partnership involves training trainers on the "Start and Improve Your Business" (SIYB) program, one of ILO's largest global training initiatives in entrepreneurship. The program aims to empower youth to launch and grow environmentally friendly and sustainable business ventures. 

The ILO, in cooperation with the Higher Council for Youth, will regularly monitor and evaluate trainer performance to ensure their readiness and certification as ILO-accredited trainers. This will be achieved through periodic reports documenting the programs’ success and impact on youth development in Iraq. Training content will also be updated flexibly to align with evolving market needs and expanded to achieve sustainable development goals.

This partnership between the ILO and the Higher Council for Youth represents a strategic step toward supporting Iraqi youth on their path to stable and sustainable career trajectories, focusing on environmentally friendly job opportunities that contribute to economic and social growth while protecting the environment.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Raghda Muhi

Communications and Outreach Officer, ILO Iraq

muhi@ilo.org

Tel: +964 790 194 6269