Orange Jordan opens digital centre to train youth

AMMAN — Orange Jordan and the German Agency for International Cooperation  (GIZ) on Tuesday inaugurated the “Orange Digital Centre”, which is a digital ecosystem dedicated to training young people in digital technology to enhance their employability.

The inauguration ceremony, which was held at the Orange Digital Village in Amman, was attended by governmental and administrative authorities from Jordan, the ambassadors of Germany and France in Jordan, GIZ Jordan representative, and members of the board and the Orange Group executive committee.

The Orange Digital Centre in Jordan brings together three strategic programmes of the Orange group; namely, a coding school, a solidarity FabLab (one of the Orange foundation’s digital manufacturing workshops), and an Orange Fab (BIG by Orange) start-up accelerator, supported by the investment fund, Orange Ventures Africa, according to a statement from Orange Jordan.

The statement noted that all of the programmes are provided free-of-charge and open to everyone. They include digital training programmes for young people — 90 per cent of which provide guidance for project bearers and future investors. 

In addition, Orange Jordan and the Ministry of Youth agreed to establish an Orange Digital Centre Club in Zarqa Youth Club, as well as another Orange Digital Centre Club in cooperation with the German Jordanian University. 

The clubs will complement the education system to give as many people as possible access to new technologies and help them put these technologies to use, the statement said.

Stephane Richard, CEO of Orange Group, noted that the launching of the centre is a part of Orange’s Engage 2025 plan. 

“Orange is a committed and responsible company that embraces the big challenges of mankind, most importantly climate change and digital divide,” he said during the ceremony.

Richard indicated that Orange aims to promote digital services as a “vector for inclusion” and to ensure they are available to the largest possible audience. 

“We aim to open an Orange Digital Centre in every country in which we are present by 2025. This ambition clearly demonstrates our determination to harness the positive power of digital innovation,” he added.

Elisabeth Girrbach, GIZ Jordan Country director, said that the world is “increasingly digitalised”.

“The centre is targeting the future and youth in Jordan, and it represents a powerful opportunity to boost innovation and economic growth,” Elisabeth continued.

She noted that the key to a successful and growing economy is the private sector’s involvement. 

“This partnership is a great example of how business and development combine their strengths. We believe that our partnership with Orange will achieve our shared vision of creating youth employability while supporting the country’s sustainable growth and digital transformation,” Girrbach added.

She also noted that the project will play a key role in improving the next generation’s situation and strengthening the future of the Jordanian labour market, with a special focus on the inclusion of women.

Thierry Marigny, CEO of Orange Jordan, emphasised that launching the centre is “evidence to our commitment towards our role as a responsible digital leader and the Kingdom’s partner in digital transformation”.

“The programmes we implement, with the support of our partners help us achieve our goals in empowering youth and giving them keys to enhance their digital skills to support their employability chances and contribute to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Jordan,” he said in his closing remarks.