Pearson to partner with Ministry of Education in Jordan to offer BTEC qualifications in public schools
The Jordanian Ministry of Education and Pearson, the world’s learning company, have signed a contract to partner on the reform of Jordan’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) provision in schools – introducing BTEC qualifications into the country’s curriculum.
The partnership is designed to support the economic ambitions of Jordan's Ministry of Education, employers, and key Jordanian stakeholders, to ensure that the TVET curriculum fully meets the needs of the nation during its implementation over the next five years.
Pearson will develop bespoke qualifications and teacher training programmes in Engineering, Business, IT, Hospitality, Hair and Beauty and Agriculture in 2023/4, followed by Travel and Tourism, Creative Media, Art and Design and Construction in 2024/25. A total of 54,000 learners over the next three years are expected to take these courses. The programme will also train the Jordanian vocational teaching workforce to deliver Pearson qualifications.
Pearson’s internationally recognised BTECs are developed and validated in partnership with educators, employers and governments to ensure that content reflects the needs of a workforce. They support learners with applied, hands-on learning experiences at every step of their career journey, whether they choose to take their skills straight into employment or to further and higher education.
Pearson will issue a dual badged certificate for learners who successfully complete the Pearson BTEC International Diplomas alongside the Jordanian Common Curriculum. BTEC qualifications are recognised by universities globally, including in the UK, US, Australia, Canada, and the MENA region.
Pearson will work closely with the Jordanian Ministry of Education during the transition to offering BTEC qualifications - including recommending school resources, training teachers, and providing first line support during the roll out. The global learning company has developed an innovative blended learning approach to BTEC teaching, that supports teachers to combine knowledge and skills pedagogies, and students to apply critical thinking for problem-solving assignments.
Dr. Azmi Mahafza, the Jordanian Minister of Education, said:
“BTEC is a world-leading approach to technical vocational education and training that enables students to develop technical skills in demanded vocational specializations, while developing a knowledge about labour market employment requirements in Jordan. BTEC supports the combination of knowledge and skills to students and teaching pedagogy to teachers. BTEC certificates are recognized worldwide, and while Jordan will be implementing the Levels 2 and 3 of BTEC for vocational streams, students will graduate with the opportunity to progress their BTEC qualifications at technical colleges, universities and in to the labour market.”
Jane Baker, VP of Business Development UK and International at Pearson, commented:
“With 40 years of experience of implementing BTEC in 70 countries, Pearson has a long track record of success in supporting governments to bolster their vocational qualification offer. BTECs are high-quality, career-focused qualifications grounded in the real world of work. This means BTEC learners develop and apply the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers and universities are looking for. Jordan has long recognised the power of vocational education, so we are proud to continue working with their education providers to support the transition to offer BTEC and enhance the existing TVET curriculum.”
Bridget Brind, British Ambassador to Jordan, said:
"I welcome the establishment of this major long-term partnership between Jordan’s Ministry of Education and the UK’s Pearson, a world leading learning company, which will support Jordan’s Economic Vision 2033 through technical and vocational education and training. It will benefit more than 50,000 learners in Jordan over the coming years, providing them with internationally recognised qualifications, skills and knowledge, helping to meet Jordan’s labour market needs and tackle youth unemployment.”
