UNESCO launched an apprenticeship programme for Marble, Stone and Alabaster carvers, supporting 7 different small to medium enterprises in Mosul

Within the framework of the project “Reviving Mosul and Basra Old Cities” supported by the European Union, UNESCO is strengthening partnerships with the private sector to encourage youth employment and training in specialized cultural and creative industries relating to the reconstruction process in Mosul. UNESCO launched an apprenticeship programme for Marble, Stone and Alabaster carvers, supporting 7 different small to medium enterprises in Mosul to take on and train apprentices under the supervision of the Department of Labour and Social Affairs. Currently, 14 apprentices from vulnerable groups have been engaged by the industry and are working on various projects in the city. The programme hopes to alleviate economic hardship caused by the past conflict and the current COVID crisis and to help address the ongoing skills shortage in Mosul in key areas of reconstruction. This initiative will be expanded to other necessary skills and trades in Mosul and to relevant industries in Basra under the project once the COVID pandemic has eased and increased movement becomes more possible.