EFE celebrates around 130,000 graduates milestone in Dubai

Staff Reporter, Gulf Today

Education For Employment (EFE), the leading youth employment organization in the region,  has celebrated a key milestone of reaching 130,000 graduates at a grand ceremony in Dubai.

The celebrations coincide with the Dubai Expo Knowledge & Learning Week - 12-18 December 2021. The event was attended by EFE Board members, CEOs and partners from across the region in Dubai. It was hosted by Abed El-Jaouni, Chairman of the Board- Euro Atlantic Airways & EFE-Global Board Member.

 In his opening remarks, EFE-Global President and CEO Andrew Baird, said: “We are thrilled to be back in Dubai, especially on an occasion like this where we celebrate a significant milestone for EFE of reaching 130K graduates, thanks to our Affiliate teams who operate in nine countries across MENA.”

 Through skills training and job placements, EFE empowers youth with the hope and dignity that helps them thrive and create a brighter future.

 “Despite the challenging economy in 2021, we have had a graduation rate of 93% placing 75% in jobs. We have held 437 online and offline classes across the EFE network. Dubai is a central hub for innovation, knowledge, and opportunity, and what better place to highlight this important achievement and invite our partners, CEOs, and Board members from across the region,” said Baird.

Keynote speaker Reem Bin Karam, Director at NAMA Women Advancement Establishment.  said, “In 2015, the NAMA –EFE journey started when Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of NAMA, was elected the first Honorary Patron for EFE’s Global Women’s Inclusion, NAMA has been working closely with EFE to fulfil its Network’s ambition to empower thousands of youth, young women in particular, in MENA through education, jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The many success stories we have, should be the fuel for us to get together and create more high-impact partnerships, ones that will end the exclusion of youth from conversations that directly impact the opportunities available to them by shifting them from the side-lines and bringing them to the centre of key debates in the region’s sustainable economic development.”

Addressing the august audience, Al’a AlSallal, EFE-Jordan Graduate, CEO at MadfooatCom & Founder of Jamalon, said: “I am honored to take part of EFE’s Dubai event as they celebrate 130k graduates today! I’m proudly one of these graduates. EFE has empowered me and enabled me when I kick-started my career.

Highlighting the significance of EFE, AlSallal, said: “I recommend EFE’s programs to youth in MENA, EFE bridges the gap between your academic life and your career life, its position is vital and much needed to be scaled for all graduates.”

 More than 3,800 employer partners have hired EFE Alumni since its inception, including 280 partners in the first three quarters of 2021. In addition, over 80,000 females have graduated through the EFE program since its inception.

The attendees also watched the first live screening of EFE’s new film presented by Hollywood film producer Kevin Matossian.

More than 131,000 unemployed youth connected to the world of work. That’s what Education For Employment (EFE) has provided in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The MENA region has the highest youth population and is the hardest place in the world for a young person to get a job. Youth unemployment there is 30%. Job losses from the pandemic have made economic inclusion more important than ever.

EFE is a nonprofit organization that works in nine countries in MENA to provide young people with training in skills that businesses need and trains them for self-employment where jobs are scarce. A summary of EFE’s impact is here, and in this short film. EFE’s programs take special care to include underserved youth to support themselves, their families and contribute to their countries, including women, refugees and entrepreneurs. We are proud of success stories like Hazar and Malak from Palestine, who now have successful careers in nursing and engineering.