For decades, unemployment has been a major threat to the prosperity and socioeconomic security of youth in Palestine, with one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world. That is why since its inception, the Talent Acceleration Platform (TAP) has dedicated itself to empowering young Palestinian talent through upskilling programs that have resulted in 80 per cent job placement success post graduation. 

Amidst the turmoil in Gaza, pathways to prosperous futures have become more scarce, making the urgency of TAP’s mission ever more apparent. The resilience of their team and TAPers there is what drives them forward and therefore, in the spirit of perseverance, TAP is doubling down on its efforts in Palestine and expanding into Jordan in February 2024. 

Job-focused upskilling programmes 

TAP is a Dutch / Palestinian startup that upskills overlooked talent in Palestine and matches them with innovative companies across the world, bridging differences for a fruitful collaboration where everyone can play a meaningful part in the global economy. 

With support from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Swiss Development Council, the World Bank, and many others, TAP offers four-month programs in Software Development, Business Development & Sales, and Digital Marketing. The programmes include unparalleled technical training alongside an integrated soft skills curriculum, 1 to 1 mentoring sessions, career coaching, and a virtual traineeship for real world experience. 

One example of TAP’s impact on its TAPers and hiring companies is Abdelhaleem Elderawi and the Swiss company that hired him upon graduation, Wingtra. Abdelhaleem is a TAPer from TAP’s first ever Business Development cohort who joined TAP to get out of his comfort zone and take control of his own life. This is what he had to say in May of this year: 

“Since the start of TAP, I’ve looked forward to it every single day… I came in as someone who was trying to find a new life for himself. I came out with a new career, but also with a bunch of new friends. A new family, actually…This was so much more than a programme to learn to become a salesperson; this is something I will cherish forever…”

A single interview with Abdelhaleem was all Wingtra needed to be convinced of his skills and potential and hired him directly. They were so impressed with him, that they returned to TAP to hire another graduate, Batool Abdullah. 

This is what Wingtra’s Channel and Business Development Manager, Mirakhmad Aliakbarov had to say about Batool: “Now, we’re able to reach people in the Middle East that we couldn’t reach before and have more meaningful conversations. Having Batool in the team is a big asset for us.”

Our TAPers stories of perseverance and success in the face of adversity deserve to be heard and celebrated. And for as long as our TAPers refuse to be stopped by adversity, so will we. 

Situation in Palestine and the future 

“The current situation in Palestine is incredibly hard and has left us in a state of anguish. With three of our TAP team members and over 50 TAPers in Gaza, we are exploring all avenues to ensure their well being and safety” says Jafar Shunnar, co-founder and CTO of TAP. 

“At the same time, we see that people hold on to our programs as a way of hope. People are asking us to keep going, they are attending sessions, talking to mentors…. We see how important our work is, and that the best way to contribute towards a brighter future is to continue this impactful work. Even more so; we will work even harder to create more job opportunities for overlooked talent from Palestine.”

Shunnar also states that their TAPers in Gaza have been guaranteed spots in future cohorts and that those in the West Bank have chosen to persist in their learning and mentoring sessions, choosing each day not to give up on their futures.

Opening up for talent from Jordan 

Until now TAP’s programmes were exclusively available to talent from Palestine. But in the spirit of growth and perseverance, in February 2024, TAP is doubling down its efforts in Palestine and expanding into Jordan thereby also providing a broader pool of talent to startups looking to hire. 

“We acknowledge the huge potential of young Jordanians”, Shunnar adds. “They face similar challenges to young people in Palestine and we are ready to include them in our programs going forward. The youth deserve a future that is just, prosperous, and allows them to thrive and since TAP has proven to work for Palestinians, we want to offer what we do in more parts of the region, starting with Jordan.”

Applications are now open for TAP’s programmes starting in February. For more information, please visit https://www.tapcareers.io