MTC, in joint-venture partnership with the Louis Berger Group, Inc., won an $88 million contract in 2004 with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Iraq to provide strategic leadership and technical skills to assist in the operation of employment centers and vocational and technical training centers within the country.  The project addressed the immediate needs of the Iraqi unemployment and underemployment; training an unskilled workforce; providing the trained workers demanded by the private sector; and building the capacity of the Iraq Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MOLSA), as well as the employment offices and training centers in other governorates.

Under this contract, MTC designed a national labor market survey, a gap analysis of vocational centers, a centralized national employment database, internationally recognized certifications/curricula for training and the upgrade of several vocational centers, as well as a comprehensive, system approach was designed.

The project was the only one in Iraq that found employment by Iraqis for Iraqis of the lowest economic strata of society.  Because unemployment was linked to increased security threats, the target population included young men 17-30 throughout Baghdad, especially in Sadr City and Abu Ghraib, women, unskilled laborers, demobilized soldiers, demilitarized militia, agricultural workers and long-term unemployed people.

The project was successful with 26 of 26 deliverables being met, under budget and training over 5,000 Iraqis per month.  Curricula and skills sets for 10 vocations were developed.  MOLSA trainers and staff were trained on the vocational materials, system design, management, leadership, safety/health, and other capacity building issues to ensure sustainability of the program.

Seven (7) vocational centers in Baghdad were refurbished and equipped, vocational equipment was procured, MOLSA’s OJT programs were resurrected, 340 Iraqis were hired to train, manage and monitor classes and centers, systems were designed and sustainable programs were developed.

During the life of the project, 4,500 trainees were trained in priority vocational trades.  Over 7,600 Iraqis found employment in all 18 governorates.  The partners trained 12,000 Iraqis in all classes including IT, vocational and English language, and 510 Iraqis were enrolled in MOLSA’s On-the-Job training program.

MTC is proud of our contribution to the future of Iraq and we look forward to continuing our relationships and training for the Iraqi citizens soon.

*Note:  As of 2009, MOLSA Centers are still using MTC’s curricula and skill set standards that were adapted by the Iraqis for the Iraqi system.

Jordan
In addition to MTC’s very successful project in Iraq, MTC conducted research with vocational schools in Jordan and Palestine to compare current programs against international best practices.  While in Jordan, MTC visited several vocational schools to connect Jordanian Vocational Training Center Operators with Iraqi Vocational Operators, so that the already established schools in Jordan could serve as “mentors” to the re-structuring schools in Iraq.

Palestine
Early in 2006, MTC conducted a Gap Analysis in 6 targeted Vocational Schools in the West Bank/Gaza.  MTC held focus groups with staff and students, as well as physical building reviews, to determine the needs for upgrades of staff, curricula, equipment, materials and building renovations.  A report was written and MTC is currently waiting for an opportunity to return to Palestine and work with the vocational teachers and administration.