The USAID funded Enterprise Development & Market Competitiveness (EDMC) Project, in partnership with UNDP Armenia, held a roundtable discussion today to discuss the statistical evidence and policy options that could contribute to the development of qualified workforce and promote youth employment in Armenia.

In 2009 and 2010 the estimated youth unemployment rate in Armenia was 48.1 and 40.95 percent respectively, which challenges both the country’s long-term economic growth and the development of Armenia’s private sector.

“UNDP Armenia, within the framework of ‘Vocational Education and Training (VET) System’ project, has organized over the past three years a number of training programs for 715 registered unemployed, particularly a rural youth, to retrain them in vocational specialties that are in demand in the Armenian labor market. As of January 2012, about 300 of the trainees have found employment,” said Dirk Boberg, UN Deputy Resident /UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Armenia.

“We believe that a greater private sector involvement in the education of Armenia’s workforce will help provide young professionals with qualifications they need to be successful in the labor market. Our goal is to consult the private sector on how they can help educate a highly-qualified and productive workforce,” noted USAID EDMC Project Chief of Party Alexander Babinov.

UNDP Armenia, in partnership with the RA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and other local stakeholders, continues the support to the employment policy formulation and implementation giving the highest importance to a reduction of youth and women unemployment, especially in remote communities.

The policy options and alternative solutions discussed at the roundtable will be further refined in a draft report with recommended reform actions and amendments to the legislation and later submitted to businesses and the Government for review and comments.