COUNTRIES: Iraq
DURATION: 12/19/2021 - 07/31/2022
FUNDER: U.S. Embassy in Baghdad
CONTACT[email protected]

Program Description

The English Language Investment and Training for Economic Success (ELITES) virtual program helps Iraqi youth build the professional skills needed to gain private sector jobs.

The English Language Investment and Training for Economic Success (ELITES) virtual program helps Iraqi youth build the professional skills needed to gain private sector jobs.

ELITES brings together 100 Iraqi students for an innovative, one-year mentoring program focused on private sector employment training and entrepreneurship. The program features highly engaging online content, individualized instruction and mentoring, private-sector work experience, and networking opportunities with private-sector business leaders and entrepreneurs. As a result, participants will gain key employability and professional networking skills, ability to identify viable career options, and, ultimately, gain meaningful private sector jobs.

Program Goals

The ELITES program aims to strengthen young Iraqis’ key employability and professional networking skills, ability to identify viable career options, and, ultimately, gain meaningful private sector jobs. The ELITES program includes:

  • Basic English language training
  • Business English language training
  • Computer skills training. Topics include Microsoft Office; an introduction to the Internet of Things (IOT); using WordPress to design personal websites, e-commerce websites, and forum websites.
  • General management skills training. Topics include business administration, marketing, human resources, and finance, as well as important soft skills such as business communications, social skills, work planning, and problem-solving. The course will include practical exercises to improve participants’ awareness of private-sector opportunities and success in the job search process.
  • Job shadowing with professional mentoring. Participants will engage in a regional, real-work simulation event to practice applying their integrated skills and receive real-time feedback on their performance.

Prior to submitting an application, it is important to review the attached documents below.