Job market in Eastern Jerusalem is being hindered by the restrictions posed on the occupied Palestinian territories. Besides poverty, this has prompted an increase in unemployment, especially among young people, with negative repercussions on education. Reports indicate a chronic shortage of students and dropout rates higher than the average.

Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) - a propaedeutic step to enter the job market - is only provided in a few institutes and supported by very low public fundings. It is seemingly little known among youth, also because of a national job-orienteering program that does not provide any related information.

COOPI works in the area to strengthen knowledge and awareness on the topic, following the guidelines set by the National TVET Strategy, in order to transfer skills to the future workforce and to provide a training that fits job market needs. It mostly targets those who quit education or don’t have a formal one, the disadvantaged and marginalized groups; by doing so, it indirectly involves relatives and educators as well.
Program activities also aim to favour women’s empowerment, as their entrance to job market is often obstructed by socio-cultural obstacles. Start your business-like initiatives are set to take place in order to guarantee attendees the needed resources and help to develop entrepreneurial ideas that can provide independent sources of income and contribute to the growth of a local, sustainable economy.

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