Boeing Launches New Employability Programme for Veterans in Jordan after Inspiration from Team Jordan at the Invictus Games

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Jordan, the Hashemite Commission for Disabled Soldiers, Amideast/Jordan, and Boeing have launched the “Disabled Soldiers Empowering Tourism” programme.

The programme is set to help wounded, injured or sick Jordanian soldiers fulfill their career aspirations, by giving 50 veterans access to a 10-month upskilling programme to prepare them for careers in Jordan’s tourism and aviation industries.

The inspiration for the programme came from a trip to the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 by Boeing, the presenting partner for Düsseldorf 2023 and a meeting with his Royal Highness Prince Mired bin Ra’ad Zeid Al-Hussein of Jordan.

Representatives from Boeing Middle East attended the seventh Invictus Games at Düsseldorf 2023 and were inspired by the resilience and determination show by Team Jordan who were competing at their fifth Invictus Games and won a total of 18 medals.

Kuljit Ghata-Aura, president of Boeing Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and Central Asia, said: "We decided to develop this programme jointly with the Hashemite Commission for Disabled Soldiers after we had the honor of meeting with His Royal Highness Prince Mired bin Ra’ad Zeid Al-Hussein and the Jordanian team at the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023.

"We were inspired by Team Jordan’s resilience and determination at the [Invictus] Games... and are proud to support their transition into fulfilling careers in aviation and tourism, creating new pathways for their success," Kuljit Ghata-Aura, said.

Jim Grabowski, vice president for field operations at Amideast, added: "This programme paves the way for Jordan's disabled soldiers to not only gain the necessary skills for successful integration into the tourism sector, but also to seize opportunities amidst the sector's growth. The expertise cultivated through this programme directly addresses the crucial competency requirements of the industry, ensuring our participants are poised for impactful contributions and success."

Over the next months, 50 participants aged 20-45 will continue to engage in a comprehensive upskilling programmes, investing 220 hours in training. The injured servicemembers and veterans will not only enhance their English language proficiency but also cultivate essential soft and technical skills vital for success in tourism and aviation. With tailored training sessions addressing industry-specific demands, courtesy of active participation from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, participants will be well-equipped for transitioning into civilian careers.

The programme with Jordan’s Hashemite Commission for Disabled Soldiers builds upon Boeing’s ongoing partnership with the Invictus Games Foundation, supporting the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans globally.

In addition to this new initiative, Amideast and Boeing have already successfully implemented a range of community programmes in Jordan over the years, including:

• Careers in Aviation program, now in its second year, supporting young Jordanians in starting aviation careers.
• Data Science and Readiness Program, providing data science and analysis training to university graduates.
• Spark program, focusing on developing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills among girls from public schools.