From February 12 to 14, 2025, the STRIPES Leadership Development Workshop took place in Istanbul, with 10 participants from key organizations involved in the STRIPES program. Funded by the European Union (EU), this workshop focused on empowering staff directly connected to the STRIPES centers, who play a crucial role in enhancing the job readiness of TVET graduates from both CIS and INMAA.

The primary goal of the STRIPES centers is to equip TVET graduates with soft and employability skills and to build partnerships with the private sector to help these graduates secure job opportunities. Over the course of three days, participants engaged in extensive training aimed at enhancing leadership capabilities, fostering collaboration, and exploring strategies for improving the employability of TVET graduates.

Day one emphasized the importance of a well elaborated mission within an organization, focusing on aligning values with actions. Participants worked on formulating their own strategic goals using the SMART model and discussed the challenges organizations face in achieving their missions.

On day two, the McKinsey 7-S framework was introduced to help participants develop structures that encourage collaboration across organizations. This session also focused on creating effective strategies for accomplishing the mission of enhancing TVET graduates’ job readiness.

The final day was dedicated to organizational change management. Participants explored various change models, such as Lewin’s and Kotter’s, and discussed the importance of adapting to organizational shifts while staying committed to the mission of improving employability skills for TVET graduates.

The workshop concluded with a reinforced commitment to advancing TVET graduates’ job readiness, equipping them with essential skills to succeed in the job market. Through strategic leadership and collaboration, the STRIPES centers are now better positioned to empower TVET graduates and facilitate their entry into the job market.

This workshop is a crucial component of the EU-funded STRIPES Program, which is dedicated to improving job readiness, providing career guidance, and forging strong partnerships with the private sector to offer TVET graduates valuable employment opportunities in Lebanon.