Empowering Young Women and Men in Jordan with Digital Skills

Digital Skills for a Better Future Programme with support from UNICEF Jordan. 

In an era where technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, possessing digital skills is no longer just an advantage; it’s a necessity. Recognizing the importance of equipping young individuals with these skills; DOT Jordan, with support from UNICEF Jordan, launched the Digital Skills for a Better Future Programme. 

The programme aims to provide marginalised and underserved young women and men with the digital skills they need to enhance their employability and open doors to promising future opportunities.

The skills offered span a wide range, from foundational digital literacy to more sought-after intermediate skills such as web development, graphic design, and social media management, in addition to advanced skills like programming and mobile application development.

The journey of the Digital Skills for a Better Future Programme began in 2020, when it was launched with a resounding commitment to empower the youth of Jordan. DOT Jordan with support from UNICEF kicked off the programme with in-depth market research of the Jordanian job market with a focus on the new concept of micro-work. The training was divided into two levels; level one the basic digital training and level two micro-works which aims to equip youth with technical and soft skills that will facilitate their access to different employment opportunities whether freelancing, or full-time employment. More than 1,500 youth were enrolled through the programme’s first year. 

As the programme progressed into its second year, its impact grew exponentially. DOT Jordan’s efforts to customize and validate training materials led to the launch of two new tracks: Call Centre and Telemarketing, and Mobile Applications Development. Over 1,400  young women and men successfully completed digital skills training programs.

During the second year of the programme, DOT Jordan with support from UNICEF launched Bridge.Outsource.Transform (B.O.T), the first impact sourcing platform in Jordan. B.O.T provides managed freelance and micro-work opportunities for youth.

Throughout the third year, the programme’s impact continued to flourish. More than 3,100 participants completed the training programmes. 214 Training courses were implemented in 88 training centers located across the 12 governorates of the kingdom. The female participation rate was 69%, and the refugee participation rate was 36%. 

7,110 participants completed the training since the Digital Skills for a Better Future programme began, and as the programme continued in the fourth year, 2,500 participants are expected to be enrolled therefore, more than 9,000 participants will be reached by the end of 2024. 222 young women and men were provided with 272 freelance opportunities, generating 29,000 USD in income through B.O.T.

Programme partners include the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (MODEE) and its Knowledge Stations, the Ministry of Youth, UNICEF’s Makani centers, 17 CBOs, and the University of Jordan.

Learn more about DOT Jordan’s projects and impact through the annual report.