The new UK NARIC support scheme in Jordan for Syrian refugees was launched in early April with an event in Amman and a series of in-country meetings with key stakeholders and relevant agencies and ministries. The ‘Syrians in Jordan: Refugee Qualification Recognition Scheme’ is funded by BEIS, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. The www.ecctis.com/SIJ web pages are now live.

The UK NARIC team in Jordan, led by CEO Dr Cloud Bai-Yun, met with Jordan's Ministry of Labour, Centre for Accreditation and Quality Control (CAQA), and National Committee for Human Resources Development (NCHRD); the United Nations High Commission for Refugees; the Norwegian and Danish Refugee Councils; FHI360; Souriyat Across Borders; the Association of Arab Universities (AARU); and the ILO, the International Labour Organisation.

It was felt that the new SIJ project would help in streamlining work permit procedures for Syrian refugees, and help identify 'next steps' for individuals, which would assist with upskilling.

For Syrian refugees seeking work in Jordan, it would be the practical skills which would be key. For those seeking to continue study, there was felt to be a need for scholarships to overcome cost barriers, including more flexible scholarships to support shorter courses and top-up courses.

The value of wider UK NARIC expertise was seen as relevant to further developing vocational education and skills certification in Jordan, with moves towards learning outcomes-based courses and assessment, and flexible 'skills portfolios'.

Over 600,000 Syrian refugees are currently in camps on the Jordan side of the border, and over 2 million in Jordan as a whole. The new scheme will assist economic inclusion and refugees’ placement into further study in Jordan, and give guidance on the progression or completion of studies.

The scheme provides UK NARIC comparabilities of qualifications tailored to Jordan standards, for use by employers or educational institutions in Jordan. Part-completed studies will be allocated credits to align with Jordan credit systems. Applicants receive next steps guidance. All statements, explanatory notes and advice are in English and Arabic.

In cases of missing documentation, UK NARIC can provide guidance and advice.

Refugees can use a new, simplified English/Arabic online portal to apply for these tailored comparability statements. If necessary, images of qualification documents can be emailed to UK NARIC direct from a mobile phone.

The new scheme builds upon and enhances the range of support work currently ongoing in Jordan.

UK NARIC is working to develop knowledge of and acceptance of the UK NARIC comparability documents that will be issued by the scheme.

Enquiries are welcome and further information is available from [email protected]