Jordan
Mayyada Abu-Jaber , CEO, Jordan Career Education Foundation
Ms. Abu-Jaber holds a Master’s of Science in Environmental Geology from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. With extensive experience managing and directing non-governmental organizations, she is currently CEO of the Jordan Career Education Foundation. She previously directed the Royal Health Awareness Society chaired by Her Majesty Queen Rania Abdullah II and still serves on the Board of Trustees. She also worked on a consultancy at HM Queen Rania Abdullah II’s office to formulate a Teacher Education Strategy. While directing and managing several USAID projects focusing on National Education Reform as part of the ERfKE, she initiated Jordan’s first School-to-Career program. Her expertise is in environmental outreach and communication, for which she is recognized as an environmental outreach and advocacy trainer in the region.
E-mail: ceo@jcef.jo
Phone: +962.79.922.8688
About Jordan Career Education Foundation (JCEF)
In Jordan, youth unemployment is estimated to stand at 30 percent despite a growing economy and the majority of the youth population receiving a college-level education. This is largely due to a lack of skilled workers who are properly prepared for the workforce.
In 2006, EFE established the Jordan Career Education Foundation (JCEF), a national initiative to develop employer and market-driven training programs to give youth the skills they need to build a career. JCEF partners with local businesses to identify their needs and works with national and international academic partners to design tailored courses so that students will have relevant, employable skills.
Hamzah, graduate of Jordan Workplace Success training program:
JCEF's Workplace Success taught Hamzah the soft skills to help him get and keep a job, such as interviewing techniques, communication and professional behavior, while Blue Fig provided the technical training to be a waiter and placed him in a job at the restaurant.
Recently promoted after only a few months on the job, Hamzah says he is on his way to achieving his ambitions: to become a food and beverage manager within the next few years, save money to open his own restaurant, get married, and start a family. Hamzah's hope, he says, is to be able to raise his children well and provide them with a good education.
“Through [my work] I will reach the goal I aimed for. I will work harder to achieve more and to get to the top. I won't give up until I finally accomplish my goal.”
JCEF’s programs
Workplace Success
EFE's Workplace Success Program trains unemployed university students and recent graduates in the professional and communications skills needed to get and keep a first job. Published by McGraw-Hill and developed by U.S. career education experts in partnership with Jordanian business leaders, the first program was held in February 2006.
Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC)
JCEF partnered with Al-Asalah Pioneers Technology Academy (APTA) in Amman to offer a vocational training course for youth with limited opportunity in poor communities. APTA’s founder, Al-Asalah Electromechanical Company, is the exclusive agent for commercial airconditioning systems in Jordan for LG Electronics. APTA’s state-of-the art training facilities provide students with a global standard in vocational education.
Land surveying
The Land Surveying Training teaches hard and soft skills combining applied theory and physical surveying skills with the Workplace Success Program. This course was customized for, funded and approved by the Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) - one of the world's largest construction/engineering firms, which has also contributed funding to the program since its launch in January 2008.
Teacher Training
The Teacher Training program targets university graduates specializing in the education field to teach Arabic, English, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and science to grades one through six.
Board Members
Taima Khoury Kawar
Board Chair
Isam Salfiti
Chairman, Union Bank for Savings and Investment
Lama Abu Hamdan
President and Founder, Alzara Products
Mohammad Batayneh
CEO of BADR Developments and Agri-Jordan
H.E. Eng. Sahel Al-Majali
Chairman for Mid Group; Former Minister of Transport and Former Minister of Public Works & Housing
Luay Abugazaleh
Managing Partner, Abu-Gazaleh Intellectual Property
Ron Bruder
Founder and Chair, EFE-Global
Jamie McAuliffe
President & CEO, EFE-Global
