Announcement of Jordan to Alleviate Shortages of Industrial and Health Sector Workers on November 14, 1985

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE World Bank INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND IOINT LlBE.\nY 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, US.A. ,i'. .._\.,) ! ; ; (._) _., c),' fl •.'• ,:. "J ,-_.1. BANK NEWS RELEASE NO. 86/34 wAsm:1;.;roN, D. c.Co,u.tact: Fawzi H. Rihane November 14, 1985 (202) 477-5325 JORDAN TO ALLEVIATE SHORTAGES OF INDUSTRIAL AND HEALTH SECTOR WORKERS Jordan is taking steps to ease shortages of skilled and semi-skilled industrial and health workers and to improve training programs for managers in the public and private sectors. The World Bank will help finance the $18.3 million project with a loan of $10.2 million. The project is expected to benefit about 2,000 trainees a year, mostly from urban and rural low-income groups, by enhancing their opportunities for employment. The government is undertaking the project to meet efficiently the future requirements of the labor market. Selective shortages and surpluses of certain skills are being caused by high population growth, an expanding labor force, reduced prospects of migration by workers, and job and training preferences which do not fully correspond to the requirements of the labor market. The project includes constructing and equipping four trade training centers and extending two such centers, an occupational safety health institute, and an integrated training institute for nurses and paramedics. Equipment will also be provided for the Jordan Institute of Public Administration. Expert services and fellowships will he provided to assist the Vocational Training Corporation to introduce new training disciplines, the Ministry of Health to develop curricula and training organization techniques, and the Jordan Institute of Public Administration to enhance its management training programs. The government will provide $8.1 million towards the cost of the project. The World Bank loan is for 15 years, including three years of grace, with a variable interest rate, currently 8.82 percent, linked to the cost of the Bank's borrowings. It also carries an annual commitment charge of 0.75 percent on undisbursed balances. NOTE: Money figures are expressed in U.S. dollar equivalents.