Cairo – Partnering with the Government of Egypt and the private sector, the U.S. Agency for International Develoment (USAID) is helping upgrade technical and vocational education and training under a three-year project to promote job opportunities and sustainable economic development. 

Today, Egyptian officials and USAID launched the new joint program, called Strengthening Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development, at a ceremony in Maadi.  “This project will strengthen the economy by preparing students for today’s job market.  It is a concerted effort across government ministries, the private sector, civil society, educational institutions, development partners, and local communities,” said Dr. William Patterson, head of the Economic Growth team at USAID. 

During the three years of the $22.1 million project, USAID will collaborate with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, the Industrial Training Council, the private sector, and Egypt’s National Competiveness Council to enhance technical and vocational education and training, improve ties between employers and training centers, and create local partnerships for economic development.  The project will improve worker skills, employability, and productivity in selected sectors and governorates. 

The U.S. Government through USAID has fostered international development cooperation between the United States and Egypt since 1978, implementing programs totaling nearly $30 billion that have improved the lives and livelihoods of the Egyptian people.