Skills Development: Vocational Education
in the Islamic Countries
104
Gaining immediate Job: TVET graduates in Gaza have higher chances to secure jobs in the
workplace as compared to other academic disciplines. Graduates fromTVET sectors havewider
scopes to get jobs in different industries which require different levels of skills. Participants
emphasized these facts:
“Most of our graduates from (these) universities have the highest rate of unemployment. On the
other side, the graduates from TVET sectors have more opportunities to get a job; most of them
are working in the local market, factories and companies”. (P3)
“TVET is a much easier way to provide and find jobs in labor market rather than the academic
specialties [disciplines]”. (P1)
Entrepreneurship: Due to war, the Gaza Strip (Palestine) is isolated from other developed
countries. Not only people but also other necessary commodities are normally not allowed to
cross the border for communicatingwith other countries. In this scenario, entrepreneurshipwill
be an appropriate mechanism for creating jobs, and for inventing new areas of employment in
Gaza Strip. It was found that, many TVET graduates estab lished their own business and earn
money for helping their entire family and to recruit other TVET graduates.
“The TVET sectors and its growth enables the students to open their own private business.
This is the main thing that, instead of depending on the government or depending on the
commercial part in providing jobs or better jobs for the students, graduates could easily
open their own private sector [through entrepreneurship]. This is the main thing that
enables many students in having their own private businesses and accordingly, it has
effect on the national income [and income] of the small poor families, as many students
are taking care of their parents and their brothers in the family. We have also many
examples in this field, especially from the poor families”. (P2)
“One of our graduates, her name is Dina. She graduated fromour dressmaking centre. She
opened her Attlee [Shop] in Gaza doing dress for the bride and other people. Now, she is
doing her work independently. Wehave success stories fromour graduates who succeeded
to open [start] their own businesses and workshops such as carpentry, building and
electricity”. (P2)
Socio-economic status: TVET sectors can play a vital role for improving socio-economic status
of Gaza Strip (Palestine). More specifically, an unemployed person could manage a profession
through gaining appropriate skills from TVET sectors which will make him independent, self-
confident and self-sufficient. It will further support them to manage the expenses of their
families. Therefore, the entire society will be benefited from the skilled workers.
“On the economic perspective, now they [TVET graduates] are gaining [earning] money
and realizing life independently…. Now they can afford the basic needs of their families
and they can finance all the expenses of life. On the social aspect, they can be self-reliant
and self-sufficient. It is very important for the graduates to be likean independent person.
… He assists his family, father or he is the breadwinner of the family and fulfilling the basic
needs of life”. (P2)