Crown Prince inaugurates pharmaceutical training centre in Salt

AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein inaugurated on Tuesday the Pharmaceutical Centre of Excellence in Salt, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The centre aims at enhancing the abilities of human cadres and preparing trained employees that are qualified to work in the field of pharmaceuticals, in response to the demands of the job market.

Prince Hussein toured the centre, which is the first of its kind at the regional level, then met with Labour Minister Nidal Katamine, president of the Vocational Training Corporation's (VTC) board of directors, and other stakeholders from the public and private sectors. 

At the meeting, VTC Director Majed Habashneh briefed Prince Hussein on the centre, saying it was established in cooperation with the private sector. He underlined the job opportunities graduates are likely to have in the local and regional markets.

The cost of the centre, which offers a one-year diploma to graduates, stood at JD2 million, provided by the Employment-Technical and Vocational Education and Training Fund, while the EU contributed to building curricula and provided technical assistance, Habashneh added.

Moreover, Habashneh outlined the situation of vocational training in Jordan and the challenges facing efforts to encourage young people to join vocational training.

He underlined the importance of activating the role of concerned institutions and establishing a national body to oversee vocational education and training in public sector institutions.

The pharmaceutical industry in Jordan has been a key asset of Jordan’s economy for 50 years and its products reach more than 60 countries around the world, President of the Jordanian Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Salah Mawajdeh said at the meeting.

Around 31 students are currently enrolled in the centre, which offers practical and theoretical courses as well as field training in private sector companies for three months, director of the project Judy Saleh said.