RAMALLAH, April 3, 2010 (WAFA)—Thirty Fellow Engineers celebrated the completion of their fellowship with the Emergency Jobs Program (EJP) which is implemented by CHF International and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

They were participants of the EJP Engineering Fellows Program co-sponsored by CHF International, Engineering Association Jerusalem Center (EAJC), and the Center for Engineering and Planning (CEP). The program provides hands-on, paid working experience for recent graduated engineers with the aim of developing the skills of young Palestinian engineers. At the same time through its work the Fellowship Program builds local capacity and best practices for implementation of labor intensive infrastructure projects aimed at revitalizing the local economy.

The graduation was attended by representatives of the four partners: Ahmed Edala Chairman of the EAJC, Gary Cohen Director of USAID Water and Infrastructure Office, Emad Shaar of CEP, Abdul Naser Farraj CHF Chief of Party for EJP, as well as various private engineering firms from across the West Bank.

In the past two years 57 engineering graduates have participated in the Engineering Fellows Program with 90% securing a job after completing their fellowship. Of these 50% were hired by CHF, the local government or private firms. Currently, 60 Fellows are being hosted in various CHF field offices.

As part of the Engineering Fellowship Program the Fellows are hosted for one year at the EJP satellite offices working in a variety of capacities including site supervision, assistance to local government engineering offices in design preparation, quality control/assurance, review of designs and Bill of Quantities, GIS mapping and basic design production.

'My fellowship enriched me technically, provided me with the administrative skills required to do the job in real life and taught me that communication is essential to getting the job done well. These things are not something I would have been able to learn in college,' said Abdul Hamed Shoman, a Fellow participant.

In addition, they are mentored by EJP staff and develop individual work plans tailored to their career goals. Regular workshops organized by the program expose the Fellows to relevant topics in the engineering and development field such as urban planning, construction management, gender mainstreaming and labor-intensive construction methodologies.

'This project was so successful that we (USAID) replicated this model for another program we are currently implementing with the Palestinian Ministry of Public Works,' said Gary Cohen during his speech.