S . K.I.L.L.S. S uperior K nowledge by I ntensive L abour L earning S chemes is a joint project between:

1. S.K.I.L.L.S. Superior Knowledge by Intensive Labour Learning Schemes is a joint project between: “SEBC” Syrian Enterprise Business Centre “SSP” SME Support Programme “ETF” The European Training Foundation

2. Syrian Enterprise and Business Centre can be looked at today as a business center whose management and task execution style incorporate the European spirit that goes back to the first European development program, that is the Syrian European Business Center, which was implemented in Syria after signing the Barcelona Convention and carried out its activities since 1996

3. The Syrian Enterprise and Business Centre, which is considered today a pioneering institution in supporting the Syrian Economy, was nothing but a continuation for the said program which gained credit and the highest levels of evaluation pursuant to the European standards.

4. SEBC (Syrian Enterprise and Business Centre) is a world class organization that is designed to support the Syrian economy by serving as an implementation agency for projects aimed at developing the private sector in general, and SME support & development in particular. In other words, SEBC is the catalyst institution for private sector development and growth in Syria.

5. All these activities require certain levels of cooperation and coordination with international institutions that enjoy the expertise, professionalism and credibility. Therefore, The Syrian Enterprise and Business Centre implemented its tasks through cooperating and coordinating with a number of international parties and institutions such as:

6. European Union (EU) • European Training Foundation (ETF) • The World Bank • The World Economic Forum • Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) • GTZ

7. United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) • International Trade Center • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) • Junior Chamber International (JCI) • British Council in Syria

8. Since it was launched in 1996, the SEBC delivered more than 4,000 training courses and workshops addressing business managing and supporting for the business community in Syria. All expertise and activities SEBCcarried out in the past fifteen years were applied in SKILLS project. SKILLSis a programmethat started in 2007.

9. “SKILLS” comes in line with developments in the EU particularly in terms of its focus on entrepreneurship development, entrepreneurial learning, and additional social economic issues. Changing the mindset of young people, providing managerial and entrepreneurial skills, language skills and interpersonal skills is crucial for employability of the new generation.

10. SKILLS Vision To contribute to building the national economy by reducing unemployment and providing businesses and institutions with skilled professionals having strong field training, practical experience, as well as academic qualifications.

11. SKILLS Mission To qualify a number of young people and provide them with diversified skills required by the labor market that will help them find a job or start their own business.

12. Aims and Objectives To provide a number of young people with diversified skills by training them in a large number of business management areas as well as in the English language and computer skills. This to: • Help them find suitable jobs; • Help them start their own business; • Provide companies and institutions with competent individuals having relevant and professional training.

13. Who is SKILLS? SKILLS is a joint project between the Syrian Enterprise Business Centre (SEBC), the European Training Foundation (ETF), and the EU Delegation in Syria What SKILLS is doing? Understanding the Syrian business, education and population social environment, as a response for the challenges that face the Syrian labour market; SKILLS introduced three different programmes; Discover the Talent Second Chance Thematic Training Success Factors Selection process Full compliance with labour market needs • Why SKILLS? • Focus on entrepreneurship development, entrepreneurial learning, and additional social economic issues. • Changing the mindset of young people • Providing managerial and entrepreneurial skills, language skills and interpersonal skills is crucial for employability of the new generation. Sustainability A sustainable activity - SKILLS Graduates Club (SGC) - has been established. SGC aims to gather and transfer know-how to graduates of SKILLS through different local activities enabling members to take advantage of cooperation opportunities and exchange of experiences with similar international institutions.   

14. SKILLS Second Chance Bridging the gap between academic education and marketplace by providing 45 business training modules, covering the essential elements of the business world. The students skills are enhanced by acquiring ICDL training and Business English learning. Thematic Training A new thematic training modules that are devoted to serve the emerging sectors that are flourishing in the Syrian market. In respond to current and future demand trends, SKILLS will seize the opportunity to be a key actor in the provision of highly qualified human resources. Discover The Talent Provides 45 business training modules, covering the essential elements of the business world. The students skills are enhanced by acquiring ICDL training and Business English learning. Talented secondary education graduates Professionals in specific sectors Colleges & institutes graduates

15. SKILLS History & Current 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 SKILLS for Journalism 2011 2007-2008 2010-2011 Discover The Talent Second Chance Thematic Training

16. SKILLS FUTURE Finance NEW 2011-2012 2011-2012 Journalism Tourism Coming soon Discover The Talent Second Chance Thematic Training

17. KEY SUCCESS FACTORS • EU direct and indirect support • Practical and professional candidate selection • Sharing the business sector leaders in planning SKILLS curriculum

18. SKILLS CLUB After graduation, all SKILLS graduates become members the “SKILLS Club” which enables them to : • Benefit from SKILLS short term training activities • Join the SKILLS open learning centre • Benefit from SKILLS consulting and mentoring services • Share in different business and social activities

19. Number of Students 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150 165 2007-2008 2008 -2009 2009-2010. 2010-2011

20. Your turn • Questions?