New ILO Initiative Aims to Combat Youth Unemployment

In a bid to address the high youth unemployment rate in Iraq, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), has officially launched the Job Search Club (JSC) National Program. The initiative, part of the PROSPECTS partnership, aims to equip young Iraqis with essential job search and employability skills to facilitate their integration into the labour market.

The JSC initiative, developed by the ILO, offers a structured approach to job searching, providing youth with targeted activities and skills to help them find employment in a short timeframe. The program’s first phase includes training over 25 facilitators who will deliver the programme across Iraq’s governorates, focusing on areas most affected by high youth unemployment and displacement.

The program will offer intensive two-week coaching sessions that cover skills such as resume writing, interview techniques, and job market navigation. Participants will receive three months of continued support, including regular assessments of their progress.

Dr. Maha Kattaa, ILO Country Coordinator in Iraq, highlighted the urgency of the programme, pointing out that youth unemployment in Iraq exceeds 35.8%, with even higher rates among displaced populations. “Launching job search clubs is a crucial step to bridge the gap between young job seekers and the labour market,” she said.

The program, which also targets marginalised groups such as young women and displaced youth, is part of the broader PROSPECTS initiative, supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The initiative aims to improve skills education, employment, and infrastructure in areas affected by forced displacement, benefiting both host communities and displaced populations across the Arab States, East Africa, and North Africa.