The YMCA of Lebanon first began implementing vocational training
projects in 1955 on a limited scale, with larger interventions beginning
in 1978 with funding from the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID). The agency supported these programs for over twenty
years and continues to fund YMCA projects in other areas. More
recently, vocational training programs have been implemented in
partnership with numerous international development agencies including
the European Union, World Bank, and the governments of Australia,
Finland, and Mexico.
Accelerated Vocational Training Program (AVTP)
Funding Agency
The European Union through YCARE International (UK)
Duration
2003-2009
Beneficiaries
See graph below
Description
The project focused on enhancing the economic and social
status of young men and women in the poorest areas of Lebanon,
especially the unemployed, school drop-outs, the disabled, and the
Palestinian communities. At the end of April 2009, a total of 206
accelerated vocational training sessions were completed in Lebanon’s
most vulnerable regions and in accordance with the recommendations of
project-based market surveys. Sessions were developed in numerous
fields: building skills, agricultural mechanics, new agricultural
techniques, cottage industry food processing, childcare, office
administration (with English courses) and beauty care and hairdressing.
The YMCA also developed strong working partnerships with 91
local, national, and international organisations, helping them to
provide better organised, more relevant and up-to-date training courses.
Many of these groups are now self-sufficient and implementing new
projects independently.
