Amman, Sep. 7 (Petra) — Vocational Training Corporation (VTC)
Director General Raafat Al-Sawafin stated Monday that the “culture of
shame” is fading among Jordanian youth, as economic realities and the
scarcity of desk jobs prompt a more pragmatic approach to career
selection.

Speaking to Al Mamlaka TV, Al-Sawafin noted that the perception of
vocational work has shifted significantly. Vocational fields are no
longer viewed solely as traditional manual labor but now encompass
technology, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and green
skills aligned with local, regional, and international labor market
demands.

“Jordan is entering an era of skills rather than degrees,” Al-Sawafin
said, attributing the rise in vocational and technical training
enrollment to this broader shift. He added that young Jordanians are
increasingly evaluating salary prospects and defined career paths
before committing to a field.

Addressing the reliance on foreign labor in certain sectors,
Al-Sawafin argued that it does not reflect a refusal by Jordanians to
take up manual work due to societal stigma but rather the historical
absence of clear career progression in those roles.

He highlighted that VTC training programs integrate local and
European standards, alongside the dual-training system utilized in
Germany. The curricula now incorporate digital skills, vocational AI
applications, languages, occupational safety, entrepreneurship, and
essential workplace life skills.

//Petra// AF