The Jordanian government is facing a “real challenge” after confirming the unemployment rate at 18 percent, according to the Minister of Labour, Ali Al Ghazzawi.

Ghazzawi said during a visit to the Chamber of Commerce in Irbid that all sectors must work on making the government’s recent National Employment Program a success.

The program was launched in collaboration with Irbid’s Chamber of Commerce.

The program has received one million JOD ($1.4 million) in funds from the government, and it focuses on providing vocational training for Jordanian citizens, so that they are able to gain the skills needed to offer them the jobs that are usually filled by expats.

This article is an edited translation from the Arabic Edition