In November 2005, Jordan developed a comprehensive strategy of modernisation and delivered a National Agenda of reforms, which lays out a set of priorities and action plans in the political, social and economic fields. The chief objective of the National Agenda is 'to improve the quality of life of Jordanians through the creation of income-generating opportunities, the improvement of standards of living and the guarantee of social welfare'.

Over the next ten years, successive governments must hold to this plan, which will ensure that the reforms are implemented despite any changes of government.

The National Agenda in detail

The National Agenda was conceived on a ‘holistic’ basis, in order to define comprehensive strategies and initiatives to bring about social, economic and political development.

It covers:

			Political development and inclusion
			Legislation and justice
			Investment development
			Fiscal discipline and financial services
			Employment support and vocational training
			Society
			Education, higher education, scientific research and innovation
			Infrastructure upgrade.

Three development stages

The National Agenda deals with the problems of unemployment, low incomes and low productivity for Jordanian workers in three stages:

			2007-2012 – minimising high unemployment rates for unskilled workers (which stand at around 60%) by developing industries that require more employees and can increase the country’s exports.
			2013-2017 – increasing Jordanian citizens’ income through special training programmes that focus on how to increase their productivity and guide them towards professions that are developing and which the country needs in the long-term.
			2018 and beyond – becoming a world class competitor in the knowledge economy. This phase will focus on developing selected economic sectors in the knowledge economy.

Following this plan, the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector will focus on helping improve employment opportunities for the Jordanian labour force.

First, however, the Jordanian economy must attract investment in order to provide employment for the unskilled workers that represent around 60% of unemployed Jordanians.

Employment policies

The main objective for the public sector is to ensure a supply of skilled labour to cope with demands in the labour market. The following policies tackle this objective:

			Increasing the level of skills for the unemployed by providing industry-relevant training.
			Replacing foreign workers with Jordanian workers.
			Engaging the private sector in managing vocational training by encouraging organisations to provide and finance training programmes.

Jordan intends to reform the VET sector by determining how VET institutions can deliver the recommendations in the National Agenda, and improve the overall quality and efficiency of the sector.