Stakeholders involved in Syrian VET are increasingly aware of the importance of engaging with employers in order to develop the sector in line with market requirements. However, employer engagement is still in its early stages in Syria.

Government guidance emphasises the need to expand the role of the private sector in VET-related activities and to engage employers in the process of designing curricula and teaching and learning methods. A number of joint government projects are currently exploring possibilities for collaboration, including:

			Industrial apprenticeships, led by the Ministry of Education and the Chambers of Industry
			SKILLS, a project that improves young people’s vocational training, led by the Syrian Enterprise and Business Centre
			Intilaaqah, an initiative that helps young Syrians set up in business, sponsored by Shell and supported by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

Work to engage with employers is ongoing, and will benefit from deeper collaboration with stakeholders, particularly in areas related to internship and post-graduation employment.