”Workforce development initiative in assistance to Syrian refugees in Armenia”

On January 15, 2015 Armenia Round Table Foundation launched an NCA funded project in one of the computer labs of the Centre for Continuing Education of Microsoft IT Academy, in the State Engineering University of Armenia (Politechnic). Director of the centre Arthur Zaprossian; two professors, Albert Darbinyan (Microsoft certified professor on C#, .Net) and Anna Bakunts (Web programming); president and lawyer of the “Center for Coordination of Syrian Problems” NGO and ART programme officer welcomed 34 young people from Syria, announcing the project launch.

The youth were introduced aim of the initiation, mentioning the importance of the education in programming, as employment opportunities remain a big issue for them in Armenia. This workforce development initiative strives to organize multi-phase IT programming training courses for the selected groups of Syrian refugee young people to improve their capacities as professional programmers thus improving their employment opportunities in IT companies that currently largely demand such professionals in Armenia, as well abroad.

The other important objective of the project is the continuous support by the priests and experienced psychologists to the affected refugees. Psycho-social support activities will be organized with the assistance of “Aleppo” NGO in the beginning of February and will facilitate the process of their psychological adaptation and smoother integration to the new community.