Al Hussein Technical University and EBRD Celebrate Graduation of 17 Students from Inclusive Energy Sector Apprenticeship Program

[Wednesday, May 22, 2024] - AMMAN - Al Hussein Technical University (HTU) in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) Electrical Training Centre (ETC), announces the graduation of 17 students from an innovative apprenticeship program focused on electrical power systems.  

Funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the apprenticeship program is designed to equip young professionals with the skills and on-the-job training necessary to transition from education to employment. Specifically tailored for students from HTU’s electrical engineering and energy engineering programs, the initiative complements their degree requirements by combining technical instruction with practical, work-based training. 

Over eight months, the program included three months of rigorous technical instruction followed by five months of hands-on rotations at NEPCO’s field sites. This dual approach ensures that students not only gain theoretical knowledge but also practical experience in the energy sector. 

A closing event was held to mark the successful completion of the program. The ceremony was attended by notable figures including Gretchen Biery, EBRD Head of the Eastern Mediterranean Region; H.E. Emilija Georgieva, Ambassador of Switzerland to Jordan; H.E. Eng. Amjad Rawashdeh, General Manager of NEPCO; Prof. Ismael Al-Hinti, President of HTU; and Dr. Lutfi Al-Sharif, Vice President of HTU. 

In his remarks, Dr. Ismael Al-Hinti emphasized the importance of such partnerships in enhancing the employability of Jordanian youth, stating, “This program exemplifies our commitment to bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills. We are proud of our students and grateful to our partners for their unwavering support.” 

While Al-Rawashdeh stressed the importance of linking academic engineering education to the actual practical reality in order to ensure the successful integration of students into the labor market, as this constitutes a decisive bridge for the transition from the academic environment to the labor market, expressing NEPCO’s readiness for further cooperation with Jordanian academic institutions. 

The program is a part of EBRD’s broader strategy for Jordan, which aims to promote economic inclusion through vocational training and enhance opportunities for women and youth. It also operationalizes the Memorandum of Understanding signed between EBRD and HTU in 2022, focusing on expanding access to skills in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) sectors. 

Additionally, as part of EBRD’s technical assistance, HTU and NEPCO ETC have obtained ISO and AHK certifications, further solidifying the quality and credibility of the training provided. 

NEPCO’s role in Jordan’s renewable energy transition, particularly through leveraging private capital and expertise to develop the country’s wind and solar resources, was also highlighted during the event. The company’s collaboration with educational institutions like HTU underscores its commitment to fostering a skilled workforce capable of driving the energy sector forward. 

About HTU 

Al Hussein Technical University (HTU) is a leading educational institution dedicated to bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical applications in engineering and technology fields. As an initiative of the Crown Prince Foundation, HTU emphasizes the development of essential technical skills, fostering innovation, and aligning educational outcomes with the demands of the local and global job markets. HTU also actively supports the local community by offering free training programs for Jordanian university students seeking employment opportunities. 

About EBRD 

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is an international financial institution that supports projects in over 30 countries, from central Europe to central Asia and the southern and eastern Mediterranean. The EBRD aims to foster the transition to market-oriented economies and promote private and entrepreneurial initiative. 

About NEPCO

NEPCO is a government-owned company, responsible for building, operating and maintaining electrical transmission and interconnection networks, planning and developing them, as well as purchasing electrical energy from its various sources and selling it wholesale to the distribution companies and large consumers supplied by the Jordanian national electrical grid, and coordinating electrical energy exchange operations with neighboring countries through electrical interconnection, purchasing natural gas from various sources and selling it to electricity generation companies.