‘Gov’t to train top achievers from universities to fill public sector posts’

AMMAN — The Ministry of Public Sector Development on Tuesday said it plans to engage top university graduates in capacity-building activities and train them at government offices in order to utilise their potential in serving the sector.

Speaking at the first forum for top university graduates, Minister of Public Sector Development Khleef Al Khawaldeh said the event is part of the ministry’s executive plan for 2015 to enhance creativity and excellence in providing public services and to enhance the role of the younger generation. 

“The forum seeks to create a constant communication network with excelling graduates of public universities and enrich the public sector with their capabilities,” he added.

The ministry will coordinate with other public departments to train the graduates, and engage them in workshops and brainstorming sessions, in addition to research and studies. 

Khawaldeh noted that recent appointments at the Public Sector Development Ministry were exclusive to top achievers, and the forum will look into means of enhancing the chances for these graduates to work for the government.    

The first phase of the initiative targets public university graduates who majored in engineering, business and information technology over the past five years, according to the minister, and the initiative will expand “gradually” to include more universities and fields of study, if successful.

Participating graduates, who were asked to fill out forms specifying the type of profession they are interested in, expressed appreciation for the ministry’s initiative.

In an open discussion with the minister, many of them voiced hope about improving their skills and building on their knowledge to contribute to serving Jordan. 

Some, who are currently unemployed, expressed hope that they would get job opportunities in the government.

The ministry’s 2015 plan also includes an online-incubator for creative ideas that can develop public sector performance, as well as a plan to hold regular meetings with excelling Jordanian expatriates who visit the country during the summer vacation, according to Khawaldeh.