Petra, June 17 (Petra) — The Petra College of Tourism and
Archaeology at the Al-Hussein Bin Talal University on Wednesday
launched the international RE-BUILD program, which aims to strengthen
professional capacities in the tourism and hospitality sectors
through specialized training programs in tourism and hotel services
and by developing practical skills for young people and sector
employees, contributing to improved service quality and the creation
of sustainable employment opportunities.

The program is part of a three-year project jointly funded by the
Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and implemented in
partnership with several Jordanian and Italian institutions. Key
partners include the main partner, the Petra Development and Tourism
Region Authority (PDTRA); Sela Association for Training and Heritage
Protection; Greater Karak Municipality; the Jordan Engineers
Association; the German Jordanian University; and Italian partners
CESF, KIMIA, the Municipality of Gubbio, and ELIS Association.

PDTRA Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Adnan Al Sawair said the
launch of the program in Petra reflects the region’s status as a
global tourism destination and an important center for skills
development and capacity building in the tourism sector.

He noted that the authority places human resource development and
youth empowerment at the forefront of its priorities, considering
them essential to achieving sustainable tourism development.

Al Sawair added that the authority is committed to strengthening
local and international partnerships that contribute to the
development of the tourism sector and enhance the capabilities of its
workforce. He stressed that investment in vocational training and
professional qualification directly improves the quality of services
provided to visitors and strengthens Petra’s competitiveness as one
of the world’s leading tourist destinations.

He explained that the program will provide valuable opportunities for
young people to acquire practical skills required by the labor
market, particularly in hotel services, hospitality management,
visitor services, and tourist communication, helping to increase
employment opportunities and improve living standards within local
communities.

Al Sawair said the authority is keen to align training programs with
the actual needs of the tourism sector and with global developments
in the tourism industry, emphasizing that building a qualified and
capable workforce is one of the most important requirements for
sustaining tourism growth and achieving economic development in the
region.

The program includes a series of specialized training courses
targeting young people and professionals working in the tourism
sector, as well as institutional capacity-building initiatives and
support programs for local community organizations. It also features
entrepreneurship and self-employment programs aimed at enabling
participants to develop innovative tourism projects and create new
job opportunities.

Training activities are scheduled to continue over the next three
years at a number of accredited training centers and tourism sites
across Jordan, providing participants with practical, hands-on
learning environments that will help them gain the experience
necessary for successful integration into the labor market.

The RE-BUILD program represents a model of Jordanian-Italian
cooperation in human resource development, combining international
expertise with local needs. It seeks to prepare qualified
professionals capable of supporting the growth of the tourism sector
and improving the quality of services offered to visitors, thereby
contributing positively to the national economy and sustainable
development.

//Petra// AF