Bridging the Skills Gap: A Comprehensive Tech and English Communication Training Program

Flexible Education for an Evolving World

Young people in Iraq find themselves in a challenging position, squeezed between the realities of living in a country plagued by very real post-war problems, and a digital world galloping ahead.

The truth is that young people in Iraq are bright and ambitious. They are resilient and adaptable. They have lived through an education system disrupted by war, displacement, COVID, and ongoing teacher strikes. 

Those that enter university develop academic skills, but few learn the practical skills needed to successfully land a job and progress in modern careers. 

WorkWell is dedicated to building bridges between a challenging reality, and a future filled with opportunities. 

At WorkWell, we are committed to empowering young people, including those in refugee camps, IDP communities, as well as recent graduates who lack access to jobs, networks, and skills, for the future of tech in the country. 

We also recognize the particular challenges faced by women in accessing and thriving in the tech industry. We are focused on providing them with the necessary support, resources, and opportunities to excel in STEM fields and become leaders in the ever-evolving landscape of technology.

We create courses tailored for ambitious young people, focusing on essential IT skills and English language skills for business. Participants learn how to integrate technology in modern business practices while enhancing their English communication skills, crucial for success in a global context.

Virtual & In-Person Classes

• Location-Independent Learning: Our virtual classes remove geographical limitations, and connect participants from across the country. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Duhok or Basra, if you have a decent internet connection, you can access classes.
• Customized Local Solutions: We tailor our tech training to meet the specific needs of local businesses who are also experiencing a gap between their business and the digital world. 

These in-person workshops have been offered in Sulaymaniyah and have included topics such as AI for Marketing, and Registration, Tax and Social Security in Kurdistan. Workshops are available across the country virtually.

WorkWell participants take part in a networking event for local businesses at The Foundation Hub in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan.

Adaptive Learning Formats

Each of us have different learning styles and different needs. Our curriculum is designed to be responsive, flexible, and engaging:

• Whole Cohort Workshops: Collaborative learning experiences that foster broad understanding in groups. A combination of teaching, break-out sessions for discussion, and participant presentations are used for learning. 
• Focus Groups: Smaller, more intimate sessions for targeted skill development and discussions.
• One-to-One Office Hours: Personalized guidance and support. Participants choose the topics—from clarification of class work to practicing job interview questions. 
• Webinars: Experts share practical knowledge from inside the industries using tech.

Webinar in progress with Husayn Kassai of Quench.ai. Mr. Kassai shared his career journey with WorkWell participants as part of our webinar series for current students and alumni.

A Curriculum Crafted from Real-World Challenges

Our program isn’t about theories gathering dust in textbooks. It’s a living, responsive learning path that adapts quickly as the needs of the workforce changes. We’ve listened to local businesses, and understood their pain points; we’ve listened to recent graduates and heard their difficulties in bridging the gap between graduating from university and entering the workforce. We’ve designed a curriculum that speaks to both sets of needs.

Information Technology

• Broad overview of essential tools
• Skills development for early specialists
• Practical applications across various technological domains
• Access to partner platforms for further learning

Business and Communication Skills

• AI tools that streamline tasks
• Business communication strategies
• Marketing and business analytics
• Specialized applications and techniques

Professional English Communication

• Crafting professional emails and business meeting communication
• Networking strategies
• Personal learning plan development
• Job interview preparation
  

Real-World Impact: Participant Stories

For participants who make the most of the program–fully participating in classroom learning opportunities as well as assignments–the skills and confidence gained are substantial. 

Participants can expect to:

• Develop practical, market-relevant skills
• Gain insights into the professional workforce
• Build confidence in technological and communication abilities
• Create their own roadmap for continued professional development

“I want to apply again for the WorkWell program to improve my performance more, even if I don’t get a certificate, that’s not a problem. I just want to learn.” S.O.

“I enjoyed learning practical communication skills in English and exploring useful tools and applications in the IT course, both of which can be applied in everyday and professional settings.” D.Y.

The Invitation

This is more than a chance to add one more certificate to your collection. It’s an invitation to reimagine your professional potential. To bridge the gaps. To transform uncertainty into opportunity.

Are you ready to move closer to the career you really want?

Click here to learn more about upcoming courses.

Looking in on a class in progress, as Mr. Mustafa Ammar teaches an IT class virtually.