KBT Program

Contributing to the transformation and growth of the Palestinian economy

Knowledge Based Transformation Program

Prepared by: Ziad Jaser

The ICT industry heavily depended on skilled human resources. (>2000/year graduates from local universities with IT specializations).

IT service delivery is borderless and will not be affected by movement restrictions.

The ICT industry has great exports potential for and bringing hard currency.

ICT is an enabling sector that will positively impact other economic sectors in Palestine.

Improvement in the ICT infrastructure and services will open new horizons and have a positive impact on Palestinian lives – both socially and economically.

May 3, 2023Mercy Corps

Knowledge Based Transformation

Program Rational

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The ICT Program aims at developing the Palestinian knowledge-based industry to contribute to the transformation and growth of the Palestinian economy.

Investing Donors United State Agency for International Development (USAID) The British Consulate – Jerusalem (UKG CPP) European Union (EC-PFP) Other private donors (Monetary and in-kind support)



Program Overview

Program’s Partners League Institutions: 12 non-governmental training and education institutions Intellect: The UK trade association for ICT and consumer electronics PITA: The Palestinian Information Technology Association of Companies IAESI: Israel Association of Electronics and Software Industries PICTI: The Palestine Information and Communications Technology Incubator Cisco Microsoft Intel Google

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Assumption: with proper investments and interventions, the Palestinian ICT industry will become the driving force behind the Palestinian economy.

Market Mapping: Identify areas for business partnerships, niche areas of cooperation, market needs and third party investment prospects by market assessment and mapping of the Palestinian and regional ICT markets.

ET Institutions capacity needs assessment: to improve the quality and relevancy of the services training and education provided.

Palestinian (ICT) companies GAP analysis: to develop their capacity and to help them compete in the global market.

Labor market assessment: to identify local market needs to develop market driven training courses.

Youth Employment strategy



Development Strategy

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Improve the quality of products and services produced by the Palestinian ICT industry and increase market access and demand.

ICT Business Development Program

May 3, 2023 Mercy CorpsKnowledge Based Transformation

ICT BD Program

Quality Management Training: CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration) training and

certification 20 CEO and team leaders benefited.

Project Management Training and certification (PMI). 13 senior managers benefited.

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Improve the quality of products and services produced by Palestinian companies

Promotional website and marketing materials.

B2B meetings, Networking workshops and

conferences.

Business Development and Marketing Unit.



Market Access & DemandIncrease market access and demand for Palestinian products and services

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www.outsource2pal.com

Organize visits of ICT experts and influencers to Palestine

Participate in regional and international networking events

and ICT trade expos

Organize visits to multinational companies’ facilities.



International ExposureImprove Palestinian ICT Professionals exposure to International markets and ICT culture

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Utilize knowledge-based interventions to youth improve economic opportunities and strengthen the skills of the rapidly growing Palestinian workforce

Youth & Workforce Development


Technical skills Development

Mobile programming: J2ME (13), iPhone bootcamp (14),

advanced iPhone development (15) Web and Application Development:

Database & SQL, Advanced PHP 25 ICT Professionals benefited

Cisco certified Network Administrator CCNA level 1,2,3,4

145 graduated, 95% employment

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Provide Palestinian ICT professionals with market demanded technical skills


Apprenticeship

Subsidized apprenticeship training at local and regional ICT companies.

95 apprentices at local Palestinian companies

31 apprentices at International IT companies

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Provide newly graduated students with practical and on the job training.


Entrepreneurship

TeamStart Business creation program to provide entrepreneurs with mentorship, business creation and acceleration support

93 professionals benefited.

Entrepreneurship Workshops: for entrepreneurs and technologists to exchange knowledge, knowhow and initiate new businesseso Startup Weekend (150 ICT Professionals

Participated)o Hackathon (70 software developers

participated)

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Enhance entrepreneurship, marketing and business skills

Startups & Business Acceleration

Access to investment capital: Improve opportunities for Palestinian entrepreneurs to establish high growth knowledge-based businessesSeed-fund as investment in start-ups and business expansions ($200,000 invested, 6 startup companies created)

Self-employment opportunities: Create platform for freelance developers to sharpen their skills and earn money.

Arab Developer Network Initiative (ADNI) in partnership with Google


Knowledge Based Transformation 13

Improve youth economic opportunities

Improve the quality and relevancy of the service Provided by Educational and Training Institutions.

E & T Institutions Capacity building Program

Market-Driven Training courses

Salesian Technical School Industrial Automation (PLC) training course.

$210,000 worth of Electro mechanical and pneumatic lab equipment

Training materials and software 3 Training of trainer courses

Dar El-Kalima College Multimedia design and entertainment production.

Complete Lab equipment Adobe Design suite and e-learning materials Autodesk entertainment production and e-learning materials

Jerusalem Industrial School Computer hardware, networks installations and electronic

maintenance. 140,000 worth of lab tools and training equipment



Develop high quality, market demanded training courses

Internationally Certified Academies

Five Cisco certified training academies were established

Training facilities infrastructure rehabilitation (4 institutions benefited)

Computers, lab equipment, network and software (5 training labs equipped)

Online International certified training curriculum and materials. ITE CCNA level 1,2,3,4 Network security

Teaching aid equipment (2 Interactive smart boards, 3 LCD projectors)

Training and certification of trainers. 2 Cisco certified Maser Trainers 8 Cisco certified trainers



Internationally Certified Academies

Three Microsoft IT Centers were established

Training facilities infrastructure rehabilitation (2 institutions benefited)

Computers, lab equipment, network and software (3 training labs equipped)

Online International certified training curriculum and materials. Digital literacy Microsoft Office Advanced applications and web development

Teaching aid equipment (1 Interactive smart boards, 2 LCD projectors)

Training and certification of trainers. 10 Trainers were trained and certified



Life Skills Courses

Entrepreneurship & Business training course: On-line entrepreneurship and business skills training course (Bader Online)

Intel Learn Program: to extends learning opportunities beyond the classroom using an engaging project-centered approach Technology and Community: to tap into youth’s interest in their

communities and feed their curiosity with creative, technology-driven projects.

Technology at Work shows learners how computers are used in a variety of jobs and careers

Technology and Entrepreneurship Using Internet tools and office applications, learners research and formulate a business idea. Then they create and present a business plan for that idea



Develop Business, Entrepreneurship communication and problem solving courses.

Organizational Capacity building

Management Information System 9 institutions Financial management systems 4 Human resources management system 3 Inventory and Assets management systems 8 students records keeping and class room management system

ICT Infrastructure, Networks installations Computer workstations and office equipment Software Network servers

Staff training Server administration MS Office Web content management

Online Resources Online Employment System Online Career Resource Center Virtual Training Resources Library



Improve the overall quality of services provided by institutions

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KBT Program

Documents