On February 13, 2025, EDAMA Association for Energy, Water, and Environment held the inaugural meeting for the Capacity Building Project of the Skills Council for the Water and Energy Sector. The meeting brought together council members and representatives from both the public and private sectors.
The meeting began with an opening speech by EDAMA’s General Manager, Eng. Imad Zreiqat, who welcomed attendees and expressed his gratitude for the participation of members and stakeholders. He highlighted EDAMA’s role in the fields of water, energy, and environment and reaffirmed the association’s readiness to contribute to the success of this project. This was followed by a presentation from Eng. Nidal Al-Saket, the Project Manager at EDAMA, who provided an overview of the association, reviewed the achievements of the Water and Energy Sector Council during 2023–2024, and concluded with a presentation on the project’s objectives and expected outcomes.
Eng. Abdul Mahdi Al-Batayneh led a key discussion on the main objective of the council: creating real job opportunities for young people. The possibility of EDAMA serving as the executive arm of the Skills Council for the Water and Energy Sector was also explored, aiming to enhance the sector’s growth and sustainability.
Eng. Fadi Marji, a board member at EDAMA and CEO of Izzat Marji Group, proposed introducing organizational memberships to encourage participation in the council, enabling specialists from various institutions to contribute according to the topics discussed in meetings. He also called for strengthening the council’s role in shaping government policies and regulations related to vocational and technical education and training.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Ruba Al-Alawneh from the Technical and Vocational Skills Development Authority, who provided strategic insights and updates on the latest initiatives launched by the authority in vocational and technical education. Al-Alawneh emphasized the authority’s commitment to fully supporting the establishment of the council and enhancing its operational functions, underscoring the importance of sectoral councils in developing specialized technical skills that meet market needs.
Meanwhile, Eng. Khaldoun Al-Khashman from the Arab Countries Water Utilities Association highlighted the urgent need for a clear strategic vision to strengthen technical skills in the water sector, particularly given the significant focus on the energy sector.
Eng. Faisal Abdel-Lat from the Arab Technical Group affirmed the private sector’s readiness to support this initiative, emphasizing that the outcomes will contribute to providing skilled technicians, thereby ensuring sustainable development. Eng. Firas Al-Khamaisa from Aqaba Water Company stated that the company is following a clear vision for the development of the water and energy sectors and expressed its willingness to contribute to studies, training, and data provision to support the council’s work.
The meeting concluded with an interactive discussion where participants deliberated on the importance of skill development to support the water and energy sectors, foster collaboration among stakeholders, and review proposed mechanisms by council members to ensure the project’s success and achievement of its goals. The meeting laid a strong foundation for the future, affirming the importance of public-private sector cooperation in developing a skilled workforce that meets the needs of the water and energy sectors. The council looks forward to continuing these discussions and implementing effective strategies to enhance vocational training and job opportunities in Jordan.
