Airport International Group Foundation Graduates 6th cohort of ‘Hirfati’ Training Center in Al Jizah

Airport International Group Foundation (AIGF) - the executive arm of Airport International Group’s philanthropic activities - proudly celebrated the graduation of the 6th cohort of its ‘Hirfati’ Training Center in Al Jizah on Thursday 16 October, 2025. The ceremony was attended by AIGF Chairman, Omar M. Masri; Airport International Group Chairman, Fernando Echegaray; and AIGF Board Members; alongside representatives from the Ministry of Labor, Al Jizah Municipality and the local community.

Since its official launch in 2021, AIGF has remained steadfast in its mission to empower unemployed youth in Al Jizah where Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) is located. In 2025, participation in ‘Hirfati’ programs grew by 20%, attracting 286 applicants - 181 females (63%) and 105 males (37%). During the year, 72 trainees successfully completed six vocational courses devised to equip them with market-relevant skills – including fashion design and tailoring, programming and software development, occupational health and safety, mobile phone maintenance, HVAC and warehouse management. With this latest cohort, ‘Hirfati’ has now graduated 694 individuals qualified to enter the labor market with practical, income-generating skills.

AIGF also launched the Livelihood Project to complement vocational training with sustainable income generation opportunities. The initiative supports entrepreneurship by providing tools and resources to start home-based businesses and offers free transportation to ensure continued access to the ‘Hirfati’ training center.

According to the Impact Assessment Report conducted for the years 2023–2025 to evaluate outcomes and measure progress, ‘Hirfati’ achieved tangible results across several key indicators. Within months of graduation, 7–10% of trainees secured wage-generating jobs, while 34–49% launched small businesses — over half of which remained active beyond their first year. Many now earn JOD 500–1,000 monthly, with 91% relying entirely on income from ‘Hirfati’-acquired skills. Since 2023, the center has trained over 300 individuals, with female participation averaging 38–45% across cohorts.

Per the report, satisfaction rates exceeded 90%, with 92–100% of participants confirming they gained practical, market-ready skills. By 2025, 64% of total graduates were employed or in internships - up from 58% in 2024 - with women accounting for 68% of those placements. Moreover, 87% reported that they are actively applying their new skills in work or entrepreneurship. Extending beyond individual empowerment, ‘Hirfati’ now serves 12 surrounding villages as a skills hub for youth empowerment, social cohesion and sustainable development.

Reaffirming its commitment to responsible growth and sustainable practices, AIGF also improved its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance in the latest independent evaluation by ESG Score, a leading European extra-financial rating agency. Following a rigorous review, AIGF maintained its elite ‘AAA’ ESG rating - the highest possible distinction - while raising its overall score from 92/100 in 2023 to 93/100 in 2024.

“Every graduate today represents a story of determination and hope. Through ‘Hirfati’ and our wider community initiatives, we are seeing how targeted investment in skills, entrepreneurship and gender equity can transform lives and livelihoods. By equipping young women and men with market-ready skills and entrepreneurial tools, we are empowering them to pursue dignified work, build sustainable careers and support their families. We remain dedicated to expanding this impact, nurturing more opportunities that foster self-reliance, inclusion and long-term community growth,” said Omar M. Masri, AIGF Chairman.

AIGF’s initiatives are guided by three strategic pillars – Youth Empowerment, Neighboring Community Development and Environmental Sustainability – and align with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Together, these efforts position ‘Hirfati’ as a model CSR initiative for scalable, sustainable community impact.