By Jordan has expanded its economic and employment programs over the past two years, increasing support for Jordanians seeking private sector jobs, financing small and medium enterprises, and establishing new production branches across governorates, according to Jordan News. The government has also improved vocational training facilities and programs, updated investment legislation and procedures, and supported industrial enterprises to increase productivity and exports.
The National Employment Program, launched by the Ministry of Labour in 2022, supported employment for 25,660 Jordanians between September 2024 and August 2026, including 12,948 women and 12,712 men. The program targets 89,000 beneficiaries by 2028. Separately, the Production Branches Program expanded from 30 operational branches in September 2024 to 37 in August 2026, with a combined employment capacity of 12,341 positions and 9,930 workers currently employed.
What the National Employment Program covers
The National Employment Program supports jobseekers aged 18 to 45 through financial assistance and on-the-job training. The recent figures show a strong youth focus: 19,199 of the 25,660 beneficiaries were aged 18 to 29. The program also reached 3,064 recipients of assistance from the National Aid Fund and 54 persons with disabilities, indicating an effort to include groups that often face additional barriers to private sector employment.
For HR teams in Jordan, the program functions as a subsidised pathway for hiring. Employers who participate can bring in Jordanian workers with part of the wage or training cost supported by the state. The Ministry of Labour administers the scheme, and the financial assistance is designed to reduce the initial cost and risk of hiring first-time or less experienced workers. Payroll teams should treat the supported portion of wages according to the ministry’s guidance and keep clear records separating the subsidised component from the employer’s own payroll obligations.
Production branches and where the new jobs are
The Production Branches Program has expanded in line with Royal directives to reduce poverty and unemployment. The sectors covered include garment manufacturing, food processing, technology industries, medical equipment and supplies, plastics manufacturing, aquaculture, paper, and cardboard production. Seven newly established branches were added in Mafraq, Ma’an, Karak, and Madaba, with a combined added capacity of 1,330 jobs.
The geographic spread matters for HR and workforce planning. Five additional production branches are being established in Ajloun, Ma’an, Balqa, Mafraq, and Irbid, with an expected combined capacity of 1,200 jobs. Another five projects in Jerash, Zarqa, Karak, Tafilah, and the Central Badia are undergoing administrative procedures and technical assessments, with an estimated capacity of 750 jobs. Employers with operations in these governorates may find a growing pool of trained workers and potential partnership opportunities.
Between September 2024 and August 2026, approximately 7,000 workers in existing and newly established branches benefited from the support program, and women accounted for 90 percent of beneficiaries. This gender distribution is notable for HR teams building diversity strategies or planning recruitment in manufacturing and production roles.
Vocational training changes that affect hiring pipelines
The Vocational Training Corporation established nine specialized vocational centers and three vocational institutes between September 2024 and August 2026. It also upgraded the infrastructure of 18 institutes and 29 training workshops serving agricultural, industrial, and tourism sectors. The number of training programs now stands at 126, with 48 introduced or developed during the period.
For employers, the most directly relevant figure is the 17,638 trainees who received training under 98 employment-linked training agreements. These agreements connect training content to actual employer needs, which means graduates should arrive with skills aligned to specific roles. The Partnerships for Development Project secured jobs for 167 people, with 110 placed in Saudi Arabia and 57 in Germany, showing that the training system is also preparing Jordanians for regional and international labour markets.
The Jordanian-Italian Training and Qualification Center in Naour provides training according to Italian standards in construction, occupational safety, and health. HR teams recruiting for construction or safety roles may want to understand what certifications graduates of this center hold and how they compare with local requirements.
What HR and payroll teams should watch next
The Vocational Training Corporation plans to expand training specializations in digital transformation and renewable energy and strengthen partnerships with the private sector for direct training and employment opportunities. For HR leaders, this signals future talent availability in areas where Jordan currently has skills gaps.
Payroll and HR teams should confirm the current terms of the National Employment Program with the Ministry of Labour before relying on any specific subsidy amount or duration. The program’s rules may change as it moves toward its 2028 target, and employers should verify how supported wages interact with social security contributions and other statutory payroll obligations.
| Program element | Current status | Target or next step |
|---|---|---|
| National Employment Program | 25,660 supported since Sept 2024 | 89,000 beneficiaries by 2028 |
| Production branches | 37 operational, 9,930 employed | 10 more branches in progress |
| Vocational training programs | 126 total programs | Digital and renewable energy expansion |
| Employment-linked training | 17,638 trainees under 98 agreements | Private sector partnerships to grow |
The expansion of production branches into governorates such as Mafraq, Ma’an, Karak, and Madaba also creates opportunities for HR teams to recruit closer to workers’ homes, potentially reducing turnover and commuting costs. Employers considering new locations or partnerships should monitor the administrative progress of the five projects still under assessment and the five branches currently being established.
Sources: Jordan News
Photo: Josh Harris & Ondi Timoner raw by Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0
