Employment Assistance Services Training. The training was designed to present the Iraqi Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs staff members with a comprehensive view on the services the Employment Centre can provide to job seekers on one hand, and on the other to companies working in Iraq, by supplying them with the most appropriate candidates.

Overview
IOM's Workforce Development and Veteran's Services Project (WDVS) contributed to the economic growth and social stability of Iraq through the sustainable reduction of unemployment levels. It provided capacity building, technical support, mentoring and training to the Employment and Training Office of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs staff members and helped to establish transparent and efficient procedures to address the immediate needs of both the unemployed and underemployed Iraqi population. The project supported the central office in Baghdad as well as the network of 19 Employment Centres opened throughout the country to date.

The Workforce and Veteran's Services project started on 15 August, 2003 and successfully ended on 31 December, 2004. The key components of the programme were as follows;

The job seeker-employer matching database
In collaboration with the Ministry, IOM has assisted in the creation of a database which contains the records of 540,000 unemployed and underemployed Iraqis, including their professional and educational experience, work skills, as well as employment and training interests. The database also stores potential employment opportunities in both the public and the private sector, and allows Ministry staff to rapidly match the skills and requirements of both job seekers and employers. In addition, the database assists the Ministry staff to maintain records of all job seekers counselled, short-listed for job interviews and job seekers who found employment through the network of Employment Centres in Iraq.

The former military databases:
IOM helped MOLSA register 360,000 information forms provided by demobilized Iraqi non career officers. In addition IOM processed information for over 79,000 former career offices, using a database prepared by the Iraqi Ministry of Defence.

The reporting and statistics database:
In collaboration with MOLSA staff, IOM designed a reporting and statistics gathering database to assist staff to prepare accurate reports and figures on employment assistance activities carried out through the network of MOLSA employment centres in Iraq.

Equipment upgrade of the national network of Employment Centres
IOM provided over 280 computers fully loaded with software and other office items in order to enhance the daily operation of the Centres, for jobseekers computer training and for the training of ministry staff. It also supplied satellite internet communication systems to 11 MOLSA Employment Centres in the country to enhance the communication capacity and improve the links between the Central office in Baghdad and the network of National Employment Centres in Iraq.

Employment Assistance Services Training
IOM's training in Employment Assistance Services started in October 2003. The training was designed to present the Iraqi Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs staff members with a comprehensive view on the services the Employment Centre can provide to job seekers on one hand, and on the other to companies working in Iraq, by supplying them with the most appropriate candidates. 128 MOLSA staff members from 19 employment centres in seventeen governorates have benefited from this 6 day training course.

On-the-Job Training Scheme
Seven key Ministry staff were trained in Amman in the concept, design, strategy and implementation of the "On-the-Job training" scheme. The training aimed at assisting the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of Iraq in the implementation and management of the newly created "OJT" scheme to benefit both job seekers and local enterprises.

Reporting and Statistics Training
Six key Ministry staff from the MOLSA Statistical Department and database department participated in a specialized training held in IOM/Amman. Support and couching to strengthen the Statistical Department continued throughout the project through an implementing partner in Baghdad.

Capacity building Assistance:
Due to the reallocation of the IOM Iraq Mission to Jordan, an independent Iraqi consulting firm with international management oversight was contracted to advise, mentor and provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The daily mentoring activities provided information, insight, feedback, encouragement, instruction, and positive reinforcement. They helped ministry staff to practice, correct, and improve performance. IOM's implementing partner also provided daily technical assistance to staff of the Baghdad Employment Centre working in the following Departments: Administration, Finance, Field Coordination (IT, logistics and procurement), Outreach, Counselling, International Contractor's subdivision, Vocational Training and On-the-Job Training.