Crescent Petroleum and the Edraak platform have launched a unique training program to empower Arab youth in mastering artificial intelligence tools, aiming to enhance their workplace skills and keep pace with rapid changes in the global job market amidst the technological revolution.
Article contents:
- Keeping pace with the AI revolution in the region
- Strategic partnership between Crescent Petroleum and Edraak
- Details of the “Artificial Intelligence for Employment” program
- The urgent need for AI training
- Building on past successes: The Career Compass Pathway
- Frequently asked questions
Keeping pace with the AI revolution in the region
Amidst the fundamental transformations driven by artificial intelligence across various industries and labor markets worldwide, acquiring the skills necessary to navigate this technology has become an urgent necessity rather than a luxury. This need is particularly prominent in the Middle East and North Africa region, where youth face significant challenges in the job market. Recognizing this reality, efforts are uniting to equip the next generation with the tools that enable them to compete and succeed in a future increasingly reliant on digital competencies and artificial intelligence, transforming demographic challenges into developmental opportunities.
Strategic partnership between Crescent Petroleum and Edraak
Crescent Petroleum, the oldest and largest private oil and gas company in the region, announced a new partnership with “Edraak,” the leading non-profit e-learning platform in the Arab world and an initiative of the Queen Rania Foundation in Jordan. This partnership aims to launch a unique training specialization focused on empowering youth to master the use of artificial intelligence tools to enhance their workplace skills. This initiative combines Crescent Petroleum’s long-standing experience in supporting community development and its commitment to youth empowerment with Edraak’s extensive capabilities in delivering high-quality educational content accessible to everyone in Arabic.
Details of the “Artificial Intelligence for Employment” program
The “Artificial Intelligence for Employment” specialization will offer four online training courses designed to teach practical skills and provide hands-on experience in using artificial intelligence across various industrial sectors. The courses will include lectures and assignments hosted on the Edraak platform. Among the key skills to be taught:
- How to leverage AI-powered productivity tools to improve efficiency and complete tasks.
- How to write better AI prompts (prompt engineering) to obtain accurate and effective results.
- How to use practical applications of artificial intelligence in various roles, such as marketing, analysis, and research.
Content will be delivered in Arabic by specialized experts, and students who complete the four courses will receive a certificate indicating their acquisition of the new skill set and their ability to innovate using the latest technologies.
The urgent need for AI training
This initiative comes at a critical time. Projections indicate that 78 million jobs will evolve by 2030 due to technology. In the Middle East and North Africa region, youth unemployment exceeds 25%, the highest globally. Therefore, providing practical and accessible AI training is essential to equip youth with future skills. Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum, commented: “Artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of work, and this program will prepare youth to compete in the workplace and build better career paths.” Meanwhile, Bassem Saad, CEO of the Queen Rania Foundation and Chairman of Edraak, added: “Artificial intelligence has now become a core competency for professional success… Programs like these empower them to thrive” in a rapidly changing employment landscape.
Building on past successes: The Career Compass Pathway
This new program builds on the tremendous success of the “Career Compass Pathway,” launched by the two partners last year. This pathway has already trained 1.3 million young men and women across the Arab world in essential business skills, including information technology and workplace English, enhancing their employment prospects. This pathway continues to offer diverse training modules including communication skills, digital literacy, resume writing, and interview skills. These ongoing efforts underscore the commitment of Crescent Petroleum and Edraak to supporting education and innovation while bridging the gap between skills and labor market requirements in the Arab world.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who can register for the “Artificial Intelligence for Employment” program?
As: The program is available for free via the Edraak platform to any Arabic-speaking young man or woman wishing to develop their skills in the field of artificial intelligence.
Q: What are the most important skills the program focuses on?
As: The program focuses on practical skills such as using AI tools to increase productivity, writing effective prompts (prompt engineering), and applying artificial intelligence in various job contexts.
Q: Do participants receive a certificate?
As: Yes, those who complete the four specialization courses will receive an accredited certificate from Edraak and Crescent Petroleum.
