SOS Children's Villages launched its first job fair in Aqaba, focusing on supporting young men and women and assisting them in finding employment opportunities. The job fair was held under the patronage of the President of Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Nayef Al-Fayez, and was attended by the Governor of Aqaba, Khaled Al-Hajaj,Commissioner of Youth and Entrepreneurship at the Authority, Ramzi Al-Kabariti, the President of the Governorate Council, Imad Amro, as well as representatives from public, private, and local community institutions.
The job fair targeted the youth of Aqaba with the aim of providing employment and training opportunities in various sectors (such as banking, industrial, tourism, education, and other important sectors) that qualify them for a stable life. The event was organized in collaboration with Hayat Fund and involved the participation of several companies, banks, and entities dedicated to empowering and supporting youth, as well as partners of the association.
In her welcoming speech, Rana AlZoubi, the National Director of SOS Children's Villages Jordan, stated: "The youth job fair reaffirms our commitment to the care and empowerment of the nation's young men and women. It provides them with the opportunity to explore various career paths and connect with pioneering employers in Aqaba." AlZoubi highlighted that the first job fair provided opportunities for 260 young men and women from Aqaba who were seeking employment or training. Additionally, 31 organizations participated to provide these opportunities for the youth. She emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships between public and private sector institutions, outlining a path towards a brighter and more prosperous future for the nation's youth.
Nayef Al-Fayez, the President of ASEZA, praised the efforts of the Association in empowering youth and providing employment opportunities through the job fair and other programs. He affirmed that supporting these young individuals is the responsibility of all relevant entities, including public and private sector institutions and the local community. He also commended the success stories of young men and women who defied all odds and chose to write their success stories with their own hands.
SOS Children's Villages Jordan provides alternative care for children and youth who lack parental care or are at risk of losing it, and supports youth till the age of 24 helping them reach independence. What distinguishes its care model is providing integrated care for children and youth, by covering all their needs including care, accommodation, education & skills, protection & social inclusion, food security, physical health, livelihood, and social & emotional wellbeing. The association is guided by the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care for Children and the Convention on the Rights of the Child issued by the United Nations. The Association also aligns its efforts with the principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, where the goals of the United Nations for sustainable development come within the focus of the its work and strategy.