Assisting in the development of relevant horticulture training for Syrian refugees, migrants and host communities

Continent: Middle East
Duration: 2020 – 2022
Donor: Nuffic
Partner: Wellant College

The objective of this training project is to improve the Jordanian Agricultural Engineers Association (JAEA) training capacity and that of its education and labour market partners in the provision of relevant, attractive and quality horticulture education and training in the Irbid and Mafraq region for refugees, migrants and host communities. A special focus will be given to hydroponic horticulture, aquaponics, fruit trees and vegetables.

The project thereby aims to promote participation of refugees and migrants in local society, while engaging host communities and support sustainable agriculture and agriculture training in the TVET sector.

Challenge

The project is divided into five intervention areas:

  • Training of Master Trainers (ToT) of JAEA;
  • Building of capacities and skills of a wider group of JAEA trainers and other TVET teachers and instructors;
  • Promotion of continuous development and dissemination of expertise on new water efficient horticulture systems and technologies;
  • Review of curricula and establishment of internship scheme for the benefit of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions;
  • Improvement of the image of agriculture education, training and employment.

Our solution/approach

Services implemented by or in cooperation with CINOP include:

  • Overall project management
  • Training needs analysis and design of JAEA Horticulture Training Programme for Refugee, Migrant and Host Communities;
  • Delivery of a Training of Master Trainers, including training in entrepreneurial skills, career orientation and guidance and e-learning and teaching skills, focusing on the specific context and needs of refugees, migrant communities and Jordanian host communities;
  • Exposure visit to the Netherlands;
  • Piloting the Horti Training Programme among the target groups;
  • Design and implementation of a sustainable skills development program and training for the Syrian and Jordanian agricultural engineers, the refugees working in the farms and young Syrian refugees who will be trained for (self-)employment in the horticulture (hydroponic) sector and aquaponics;
  • Establishment of a community of practice (CoP) for expertise sharing on developments and technologies that are tailored to the climate in the region and the farming practices;
  • Organisation of peer-exchange and curricula review sessions with TVET providers;

Capacity building of the National Sector Skills Council for Agriculture for improving the overall image of the agricultural sector through the design of a career information, orientation and image campaign, with special attention for the context and needs of refugee and migrant communities.

Impact

The training needs and motivation analysis that was conducted among refugees gave clear insight in the training and employment background of the target group, as well as their specific needs for practical skills in horticulture and their ambitions in terms of (self-)employment. This background information is now being integrated into a training of master trainers (ToT) of JEAE and the final training programme for refugees and host communities in fruit trees management, vegetable crop production, and hydroponic and aquaponic horticulture. The ToT programme will be further disseminated to other trainers and TVET providers, aiming to expand the capacity to training refugees and host communities in practical horticulture skills.

For more information about the project:

  • Epke Vogel