State Revenue Committee,  EBRD, and Grant Thornton Armenia launch  skills development program for refugees

ArmInfo.  On October 30, the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia and Grant Thornton Armenia officially launched a new skills development program  for refugees, organized by the State Revenue Committee of the  Republic of Armenia and Grant Thornton Armenia with the support of  the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

According to the State Revenue Committee,  the initiative aims to  support citizens displaced by the 2023 conflict to integrate into the  Armenian labor market and acquire necessary skills. The program is  funded by the Taiwan Business-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund and is  part of the EBRD's Refugee Crisis Response Initiative. Approximately  150 participants will have the opportunity to develop English  language skills and acquire digital competencies necessary for work  in the public and private sectors in customs and logistics. The event  was attended by government officials, migration experts, and  representatives of public and international organizations. Vrezh  Mkhitaryan, First Deputy Chairman of the State Revenue Committee of  the Republic of Armenia, welcomed the participants and noted the  launch of the program, emphasizing its importance in supporting  displaced persons.

 "The goal of the program is to support partners displaced from  Nagorno-Karabakh in their reintegration into the labor market and  effective participation in the civil service system. The Training  Center at the State Revenue Committee has always attached great  importance to the continuous professional development of our  employees and partners, and today, thanks to the  "Initiative to  Develop the Skills of Our Citizens Displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh,"  these efforts are also directed at those who have served in Nagorno-  Karabakh for years, becoming an integral part of the State Revenue  Committee system and the civil service.  Through this initiative, we  contribute not only to strengthening professional skills but also to  fostering a culture of cooperation, mutual assistance, and  inclusiveness," the Deputy Chairman of the State Revenue Committee  said. 

According to Giorgi Akhalkatsi, Head of the EBRD Resident Office in  Armenia, the project reflects the EBRD's approach to integrating  refugees into the labour market. "Through the Refugee Assistance  Programme in Armenia, we aim to support and restore the economic  well-being of refugees. The goal is to provide targeted training to  refugees and align these efforts with the needs of employers and the  labour market, enhancing their employability and professional  skills," Giorgi Akhalkatsi noted. During the event, Grant Thornton  Armenia presented approaches to assessing the needs of beneficiaries,  as well as potential employment opportunities in Armenia's customs  and logistics sectors. The assessment results will provide a  comprehensive picture of the displaced specialists' skills. A panel  discussion followed the greeting ceremony, focusing on the impact of  the refugee influx on the Armenian labor market after 2023, as well  as the opportunities and challenges of their integration. The need to  ensure equal access to employment and create inclusive working  conditions was also emphasized. Additionally, the project plans to  develop a special training module that will promote gender equality  and include mapping of services available to refugees, ensuring their  awareness and access to relevant support systems.