Workforce Development for Syrian Refugees in Jordan and Beyond

This study will look at the size of the potential refugee labour market (specifically Syrian refugees), taking into account gender gaps and conditionality (sectorial conditionality and workplace conditionality), both in Jordan and in a return scenario. It will study the current capacity of the labour market to integrate refugees, and make projections about how this capacity might change with greater investment and targeted skills training.

The project will answer the following questions:

• What is the human capital impact of unemployment (idleness) and labour market transfer?
• What is the estimated human capital loss to third country migration?
• What will be the labour market needs in post-conflict Syria?
• What is the match between existing skill sets and needs in a return scenario and where are the gaps (volume and skillset), taking into account participation in the Jordanian labour market?
• What are strategic vocational training and tertiary education opportunities for refugees, taking into account both current and post-return opportunities? What specific measures can be taken for youth who have been outside of formal education or never integrated into the labour market?
• What is the volume and typology of forecasted industrial investment needs to support a post-conflict Syria?

The research will result in recommendations for conflict-sensitive business skills training, scholarships for Syrians and Jordanians, internships, and coaching and training existing businesses for growth.

Activities

• Assessment of willingness to participate in labour force in Jordan and a post-conflict Syria (sector specific, alternate sectors and conditionality with special attention for women)
• Identification of existing labour market gaps through an analysis of areas for job demand vis-à-vis refugee skillsets, comparing the host community with refugees
• Identification of predicted labour market gaps, assuming compact-related investment and potential skills augmentation
• Quantification and analysis of skills loss and changes with respect to work culture
• Quantification and analysis of human capital loss
• Analysis based on both pre-existing sectors and growth patterns, and taking into account reconstruction needs
• Identification of predicted labour market gaps through an analysis of areas for job potential vis-à-vis refugee (and Jordanian) skillsets and willingness to participate in the labour force
• Analysis of interventions to fill existing and forecast labour market gaps
• Analysis of investment required to account for reconstruction and reestablishment of existing markets