International Development Grant
Bolstering Reconstruction in Iraq through Development Growth and Employment
Project Number: CA-3-D003801001
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $17,148,938.00
Start Date: August 02, 2017
End Date: March 31, 2023
Duration: 5.7 years
Project Description
The project aims to recognize the urgent need for short-term stabilization in Iraq by supporting the transition into new livelihoods for conflict-affected male and female youth and adult women. Thus the project focuses on improving their technical and vocational trade skills. Project activities include: (1) facilitating models of effective technical and vocational education training (TVET) practice by supporting up to 16 vocational training centres (VTCs) to deliver market-relevant competency-based gender-responsive vocational training to up to 3 000 youth and women; (2) providing flexible technical assistance and capacity development support to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs the Governorates VTCs and other key stakeholders to implement stronger vocational training and services for students such as career and guidance counselling; (3) strengthening linkages with the private sector to ensure that training programs are relevant to labor market needs and to provide internships and employment opportunities for youth and women graduates.
Expected Results
The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) enhanced provision of gender equitable and market relevant TVET by key government stakeholders in selected locations in Iraq; and (2) improved participation of targeted female and male youth and adult women in local economy in selected locations in Iraq.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of the end of the project (March 2023) include: (1) enabled eight Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) to provide more gender-sensitive and market-relevant training. These VTCs provided adjusted course selections to meet new skill requirements. They also incorporated new and innovative occupational areas through information generated by labour market assessments. Through this they aim to attract women employees and contribute to diversifying the Iraqi economy away from the petrochemical industry; (2) trained curriculum developers to assess design and deliver competency-based training instruction and learning materials. This brought them up to international standards for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) with the capacity to provide practical hands-on instruction to trainees; (3) The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs endorsed adopting competency-based training for the entire VTC system. This encouraged employers to request specialized elements be built into the VTC program to employ graduates and participate in programming and curriculum development; (4) 29% of Bolstering Reconstruction in Iraq through Development Growth and Employment (BRIDGE) trainees obtained work following graduation. VTC graduates experienced improved confidence in their ability to compete in the labour market. Over 80% of graduates deemed all courses beneficial while 71% reported improved confidence in seeking employment directly with employers rather than through their traditional informal networks; and (5) increased trainees’ confidence in their newfound occupational skills through gender-sensitive coaching vocational guidance and counselling services. 76% of employed graduates found work (or started businesses of their own) in the private sector.
Key Information
Executing Agency:
WUSC - World University Service of Canada
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
EGM Europe Arctic Middle East and Magh
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Project-type interventions
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Unsolicited Proposal