Technical education can open the door to new career opportunities, strengthen communities, and contribute to economic growth. The program “Improving Technical Education and Job Prospects Through the ATS Model” (EU-TEJPA) was created with this goal in mind: to provide a growing number of young people in Egypt with practical skills to meet the challenges of an evolving job market.
Funded by the European Union under the EU4YES program (Phase I) and implemented by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS)—Cairo Office, in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Education and Technical Education (MoETE)—the program supports the development of two applied technology schools (Applied Technology Schools – ATS), in New Damietta, in the Damietta Governorate, and in New Alamein, in the Matrouh Governorate. In line with Egypt’s T.E. 2.0 technical education reform, EU-TEJPA promotes modern learning environments, training programs tailored to the needs of businesses, and greater integration between theoretical instruction and practical experience.
In New Damietta, students will be able to specialize in fields such as welding and metalworking, electrical installations, mechanical maintenance, logistics, and construction. In New Alamein, training will focus on food service, hospitality and hotel management, and facility management. Both schools will promote inclusive learning environments, with a particular focus on the participation of female students and people with disabilities. Technical Italian courses developed in collaboration with the private sector will complement the training programs, strengthening the young people’s professional skills and preparing them to access job opportunities in Egypt and abroad.
EU-TEJPA brings together public institutions and private partners in a joint investment in skills and youth employment. In addition to the 6 million euros funded by the European Union and managed by AICS Cairo, there is 3 million euros in supplementary funding provided by Eni through its subsidiary Ieoc Production B.V. (Ieoc), and by Damietta LNG Company (DLNG), as part of a Memorandum of Understanding with AICS. The complementary activities, carried out by the El Sewedy Electric Foundation (SEF), focus on strengthening school governance, teacher selection and training, curriculum development, accreditation processes, and collaboration with businesses to facilitate on-the-job learning.
Over the course of its 36-month duration, from November 2025 to October 2028, the program aims to directly reach 700 beneficiaries—including students, faculty, and administrative staff—and indirectly benefit approximately 7,000 people, including family members and members of local communities. By aligning training with the practical needs of businesses, EU-TEJPA intends to help transform young people’s skills into career opportunities and support Egypt’s sustainable socioeconomic development.