On August 3, 2022, CSP’s partner Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) entity, Tamkeen Vocational Institute, hosted a visit by the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, USAID/Lebanon’s Mission Director, and USAID/Lebanon’s Economic Growth Office Director in Tripoli, North Lebanon. The visit started with a short meeting with the TVET Director, members of the TVET administration, and CSP representatives. The meeting presented an opportunity for the TVET Director and CSP to showcase the impact of USAID’s Workforce Development Program through the provision of scholarships and internship opportunities to students from vulnerable backgrounds, whilst improving technical and vocational curricula in promising sectors and strengthening TVETs’ organizational and financial management via capacity building and in-kind donation of equipment. The attendees then visited scholarship recipients who were taking part in vocational courses in IT (Data Science and Cyber Security) and Repair and Maintenance of Industrial Machinery and met with all 72 beneficiary students who shared their experiences with the program.  Upon completion of these courses, USAID will support the beneficiary students in getting enrolled in internships and later in finding stable employment.

“Our partnership with USAID’s CSP not only helped students by providing scholarships and job placement services, but also provided financial security to the institute amidst the ongoing crisis, thanks to which we were able to double the number of students enrolled this year. We hope support such as this can continue in the future,” stated Riad Al Helweh, Director of Tamkeen Vocational institute.