Students in one of the course workshops

When we say Tatweer Program, we do not only mean the economic development program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and managed by the Jordanian not-for-profit organization, the Business Development Center (BDC). We would definitely refer to the assistance it provides to increase the competitiveness of private businesses in Jordan, targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) and initiating the support programs that enable Jordanian private sector companies to increase their competitiveness in the global economy. Moreover, we would also refer to a very important objective that is concerned with increasing the domestic employment and improving retention of jobs for Jordanians in private enterprises, creating job opportunities for fresh university graduates through the Maharat Internship Program.

	The course graduates in the presence of his Excellency Dr. Montaser Okleh, Secretary General - Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Maharat - a project implemented and managed by Tatweer - has completed its 30 days intensive course in “Customer Service” for 30 fresh university graduates in November2006. Throughout this course, the attendants had the opportunity to strengthen their communication skills and to learn about customer care concepts prior to starting their career lives. Moreover, providing career opportunities to the courses graduates shortly after their graduation is one of Maharat’s objectives. About 80% them are expected to be hired soon especially upon the success of the Job Fair held on November 1st with the presence of 20 companies.

	Eman Samhouri’s graduates speech

Eman Samhouri, who graduated last June from the University of Jordan - Faculty of Business Administration, says that shortly after her graduation, and while she was looking for a job in the newspapers, she saw the Tatweer Program - Maharat special training free courses for the recent graduates, so, she called them immediately and was granted an interview. “It was the best course I have ever taken” Eman says. “The trainers influenced my personality, sharpened my skills, made me more confident for the future interviews.

Tatweer has taught us the importance of customer service, and how to deal with them in order to serve them perfectly”. She continues: “It was an opportunity we had never dreamt of, the culmination of the training course, the Job Fair, was the biggest event; I had interviews with highly respected companies that I hope to work with one of them soon”. Eman believes that Maharat program means: excellence, knowledge, and creativity, as the attendants were afforded a professional expertise and exposed to a new approach of teaching and motivating, valuable interpersonal communication skills and customer care. Eman ends up by saying: “Tatweer has given us what we need in order to become positive thinkers, self starters, and outstanding leaders. I hope it will continue to prosper and serve Jordan as it does now”.