Home - STRIPES

Strengthening T-Vet to foster Relevant and inclusive Internship Programmes and Employability Skills

Timeline

About Stripes

In Lebanon, communities are affected by humanitarian, economic and governmental crises that threaten their livelihoods. Unemployment numbers are high and increasing, particularly among young people. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (T-VET) can make a meaningful contribution to socio-economic development in the country by providing urgently needed, relevant skills for the labour market.

By establishing STRIPES Centres the project aims to enhance T-VET’s capacity to develop and implement work-based learning programmes linking skilled graduates to the labour market. The objectives are to:

Develop

the institutional context and organisational capacity needed for the STRIPES centres to thrive.

Strengthen

the operational capacity of the STRIPES centres by delivering training on:

employability skills;
anticipatory systems for the T-VET institutions to develop future labour market responsive curriculum;
recruitment and internship coordination and mentoring and coaching.

Establish

two physical STRIPES centres and installing the tools necessary for inclusive digitisation.

Provide

training to digitise courses and to create an online STRIPES platform that links T-VET graduates to the labour market with intention to scale.

The project provides tailor-made training, workshops, study visits, co-design, training of trainers sessions supporting the establishment of the STRIPES centres and enabling the centres to play an interface-like role between the T-VETs, its students (internships) and graduates (employment), and the labour market. Additional expected outputs are: institutional policy documents & protocols; manuals, online platform, website. Ultimately, STRIPES aims to contribute to a positive image of T-VET education among students as well as stakeholders.

Testimonials

Jorn Dormans

Project coordinator, CIS-VU

I am thankful for this opportunity to work with such great partners in the STRIPES project. Together we hope to contribute to a positive discourse within TVET sector in general and more specifically in Lebanon. Globally TVET education is on the uprise as unemployment rates are high and there is a skill gap between education and the labour market. Learning by doing or work-based learning as a general principle gives many benefits including gaining first-hand work experience and having a higher chance of acquiring a job. I believe that TVET education, like other forms of education, should receive equal attention and it is due time that the workforce who is practically skilled gets the recognition they deserve in all its forms and diversity.

Ali Lwies

Area manager, Development and Regeneration Association INMAA

STRIPES project holds the potential to significantly enhance the Vocational Education and Training system in Lebanon by addressing several key areas, and mainly in our intervention’s area and its impact over our targeted beneficiaries. The implementation, hereby has the potential to modernize and strengthen vocational education, making it more responsive to the needs of both students and the labor market, in which it will contribute to the socio-economic development of the country by empowering individuals with relevant skills and qualifications for meaningful employment. Not to mention, in alignment with our vision, STRIPES will be institutionalized the same as the other INMAA ‘S facilities, regarding services provided.

Ahmad Dahrouj

Khoubourat HR program manager, IRADA

In response to Lebanon’s crises impacting youth and education, the STRIPES project enhances Technical and Vocational Education (T-VET). It tackles rising unemployment by equipping graduates with skills needed for the job market. STRIPES achieve this through establishing 2 specialized centers, connecting graduates with employers, and updating curriculums to address the skills gap present among T-VET graduates. This project aims to improve the perception of T-VET, making it a more attractive option for youth. By aligning with national policies, STRIPES project aims to contribute to sustainable livelihoods and supports a smooth transition for youth into meaningful employment, fostering Lebanon’s economic growth.

News

November 10, 2025

Driving TVET Transformation in Lebanon: Insights from IRADA’s Leadership

Louay Malas, President of IRADA – The Businessmen’s Union for Support and Development in Lebanon and Founder of the Khoubourat HR Program, highlights how the STRIPES Project is transforming vocational education in Lebanon into a driver of resilience, employability, and growth. Through initiatives like the Training of Trainers Manual, digital innovation, and strengthened institutions, STRIPES empowers educators, enhances youth skills, and promotes an inclusive, future-ready TVET system supporting national recovery.

June 11, 2025

STRIPES 1st Newsletter is out now

Our first STRIPES newsletter (June 2025) is live, capturing how Technical and Vocational Education and Training (T-VET) is becoming a practical, dignified route to work for young people in Lebanon. The opening preface sets the tone: in times of deep national hardship, education is a catalyst for hope and recovery—and T-VET is emerging as an essential pillar of resilience.

April 3, 2025

STRIPES Project Equips Physical Center to Enhance TVET Opportunities

The STRIPES project has successfully equipped its physical center in Lebanon, advancing its mission to improve TVET education and youth employability. The center offers career guidance, soft skills training, and links to private sector partners. STRIPES also introduced its goals to the INMAA education team, marking a new phase of collaboration to align TVET with industry needs and support sustainable employment.

February 20, 2025

STRIPES Leadership Development Workshop: Empowering Stripes Centers Staff to Enhance Job Readiness for TVET Graduates

From February 12 to 14, 2025, the STRIPES Leadership Development Workshop was held in Istanbul, bringing together 10 participants from key organizations. Funded by the EU, the workshop aimed to strengthen leadership and collaboration among staff supporting TVET graduates’ job readiness. Sessions covered strategic goal setting (SMART model), the McKinsey 7-S framework, and change management models (Lewin’s, Kotter’s). The event reinforced a commitment to equipping TVET graduates with employability skills, strengthening private sector partnerships, and advancing career opportunities in Lebanon.

December 23, 2024

Education Amid Crisis: Supporting Displaced Youth in Lebanon Through TVET and Humanitarian Efforts

The recent conflict in Lebanon has left behind a profound humanitarian crisis, with internally displaced persons (IDPs) among the most affected. While the violence has ceased, its aftermath continues to strain essential services, including education. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), already under-resourced, faces significant challenges in addressing the needs of displaced youth. CIS College has responded by providing shelter and basic necessities during the crisis and is now focused on ensuring the continuity of education for affected students. Through collaborations with NGOs and fundraising efforts, the institution aims to restore access to vocational training, equipping youth with essential skills for rebuilding their lives and contributing to Lebanon’s recovery.

EU - Lebanon cooperation

The STRIPES project includes five partners: VU Amsterdam (Netherlands), INMAA (Lebanon), IRADA (Lebanon), IRI UL (Slovenia), and CIS College (Lebanon), with an associated partner, Berytech (Lebanon).

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam – Centre for International Cooperation – CIS-VU

The VU Centre for International Cooperation (CIS) is VU Amsterdam’s central hub for international cooperation since 1955. Together with partners globally, CIS coordinates programmes and projects in capacity sharing, education, research and outreach to create value from knowledge, contributing to the sustainable future of planet and people.

CIS College

CIS College, a leader in Lebanon’s vocational education since 1991, serves over 30,000 students across 26 branches. Offering diverse programs and collaborating with NGOs, CIS College links graduates to the job market.

Development & Regeneration Association – INMAA

INMAA is a Lebanese NGO focusing on healthcare, education, emergency response, and food security. It operates four healthcare facilities, a school, and extends services including vocational training and psychosocial support, prioritizing marginalized groups and individuals with disabilities.

Federation of Businessmen for Support and Development – IRADA

IRADA, established in 2013, represents 250 Lebanese businesses across sectors, fostering community development through programs like KHOUBOURAT, Taalam, and Tafawwaq, focusing on job matching and career support at no cost.

Institute for Innovation and Development of University of Ljubljana – IRI UL

IRI UL believes innovation stems from uniting diverse perspectives in R&D, project management, counseling, and education, fostering a collaborative, creative environment across multiple disciplines.

Berytech (Associated Partner)

Berytech fosters a dynamic ecosystem for entrepreneurs in Lebanon, supporting startups and SMEs in technology and innovation. It connects stakeholders, influences policy, and aims to create jobs in the region.