ILO Empowers Iraqi Youth with Job Skills Training

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has successfully concluded an intensive training programme in Erbil, designed to bolster Iraq’s national capacity to support young job seekers through the Job Search Clubs (JSC) initiative.

Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and UNICEF, the week-long programme focused on behavioural skills, facilitation techniques, digital tools, global employment platforms, and the application of artificial intelligence in job-search processes.

Participants also received practical guidance on green jobs, CV writing, and interview skills. Officials highlighted the programme’s role in empowering Iraqi youth to confidently enter the labour market. “When young people have the right skills, support, and opportunities, they can drive economic and social transformation in their communities,” said Israa Al-Joburi, Youth Programme Manager at UNICEF.

The training concluded with a full simulation of establishing and managing a Job Search Club, as part of the broader PROSPECTS partnership, supported by the Netherlands to expand youth employment opportunities across Iraq.

By creating a network of trained facilitators nationwide, the initiative aims to expand access to employment support, contribute to long-term economic resilience, and reinforce Iraq’s labour market reforms.

Source: UNAMI Iraq