Vocational Training Center

The VTC works on poverty reduction by empowering Palestinian youth to earn income, through the application of advanced vocational skills and enhanced life skills. 

Following the 1948 Palestinian Nakba, the Vocational Training Center, was established to serve the marginalized and deprived youth living in the refugee camp of Aqbat Jaber, after being forced from their homes and villages. The program initially provided primary education and recreational activities for children in 1949. After UNRWA developed its educational and health services for the refugees in the area, the school was turned into a vocational training center in 1950, 480 boys were enrolled at the time. The center was officially opened in 1952.

Nowadays, the VTC works on poverty reduction through empowering youth from across Palestine to access the labor market and earn income. This is achieved through the provision of enhanced access of marginalized Palestinian youth, with consideration to inclusive approaches of gender and persons with disabilities, to quality technical and vocational education, and the advancement of their engagement in short term market oriented vocational training opportunities at the VTC. 

Our Services:

Vocational Training Program: The VTC offers several vocational training programs for young people coming from the different Palestinian governorates. The program includes: Carpentry, Metal work, General painting, Auto mechanics, Electrical installation and solar energy, Sanitary installation and pools filtration, Air conditioning and Refrigeration, Graphic design, Accounting and Office Management, Food production, Sustainable agriculture, and Natural soap and cream production.

Career Counselling: In addition to the practical training, the VTC provides vocational and career counselling to enhance employability opportunities for the young graduates.  

Dormitory services: the center provides accommodation for students coming from across the West Bank Governorates, to ensure a wider geographic reach and access to services. 

Day care nursery: in order to encourage women’s enrollment in the vocational training program, the center provides day care nursery for the children of the women beneficiaries.  

Projects

Sustainable Agriculture and Home Gardening

This project is a continuation of the previously supported project of Permaculture in EJ-YMCA VTC implemented since 2017, it targets women, youth and children

Design thinking

The project aims at building the capacities of teachers and mentors through the integration of design thinking concept in vocational training and education, to increase youth/student’s skills...

Success Stories

The Story of Dalal; Overcoming disability barriers

Dalal 33, from Jericho, who despite her physical disability, pursued her higher education and graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from AL Quds Open University.  In...