Football for Employment Program
Palestine: Sports for Life, a FIFA Foundation-supported organization, implemented its "Football for Employment" program for three different schools and districts reaching 300 girls. PS4L cooperated with UNRWA on November 24th and 25th for students in UNRWA Qalandiya Refugee Camp School, in Qalandiya Refugee Camp East of Jerusalem (for grades 8th and 9th). While on November 29th & Dec. 1st PS4L cooperated with the Ministry of Education to run the "Football for Employment" program for the Tubas Girls government school, in the city of Tubas – Tubas District (for grades 9th and 10th) and on Nov.30th and Dec. 2nd the program for Tulkarem Girls Government school in the city of Tulkarem – Tulkarem District. "Football for Employment" program was initiated to introduce the girls to educational and career pathways through sports using Holland Code Career Test that fit their tendencies and labor market needs, while also developing their employment life skills, introducing the resume components through sports and writing a resume. They also learned about their options and the registration process in universities, colleges and centers near them. The grades targeted were from 8th to 10th, which are pivotal grades for choosing future field careers. In Palestine, a career field is decided when entering 10th/11th grade. Tenth grade is crucial to decide on the educational pathway (1) those who want to pursue a career in the sciences, and (2) those who want to pursue a career in the arts.(3) those who want to pursue a career in Technology (4) those who want to pursue a career in Industry (5) those who want to pursue a career in TVET. Therefore, having an understanding of the different educational pathways and career opportunities and recognizing their strengthens and passions is critical for the grades we targeted, especially that there is lack of awareness on the educational opportunities and pathways in Technology, Industry and TVET.
Goalkeeper, Mid-fielder, Striker Game
During the 2nd day for the "Football for Employment" sessions, the students from UNRWA Qalandiya Refugee Camp School in East Jerusalem were introduced to three UNRWA TVET centers, colleges and universities (RWTC, RMTC, KTC) available near them, in small groups learning about the need of the labor marke, available educational pathways in each and career potential, in addition to the registration process, the girls were also introduced to the resume components through sports. Additionally, students from Tubas girls government school were introduced to the industrial school in the city of Tubas, while the girls from Tulkarem were introduced to the industrial school in Tulkarem and Palestine Technical University – Khaduri in small groups learning about the need of the labor marke, available educational pathways in each and career potential, in addition to the registration process, the girls were also introduced to the resume components through sports . One hundred girls were targeted in each school while taking health precaution measures, 300 girls participated in the "Football for Employment" program; this is in hopes for an increase of females to participation in the labor market. In the second term of the school, PS4L will conduct the program in Gaza and mid-term follow up with all the students as part of the program for continued mentorship through sports.
The program contributes to UNSDG Goal no.4 Quality Education and specifically towards ensuring equal access for all women to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university – 4.3
Planning and Communication
PS4L thanks FIFA foundation for supporting the Football for Employment program.
PS4L thanks UNRWA's management team and cooperation, UNRWA's college and university representatives, and Physical Education teachers and Counselors.
PS4L thanks the ministry of Education - Students Activities department and TVET education department for their cooperation and support.
PS4L thanks PS4L coaches, who organized the sessions for Tubas and Tulkarem girls government school.
Photos from Tubas girls government school