LAMERCHAK - JDC

Lamerhak, Hebrew for “Going the Distance”, provides individual services designed to help working-age Israeli Ethiopians with support and tools to plan a career path and career advancement. The program, launched in 2014, offers participation in funding studies and vocational training, as well as job placement services. It currently operates in 12 towns. The central challenge in dealing with employment for Israeli Ethiopians is not in integrating them into the workforce, but ensuring their advancement. Whereas the employment rate of working-age Israeli Ethiopians (aged 25-54) has grown significantly in the past decade, reaching 72% (compared with 79% for the general population), only 9% of those not born in Israel are employed in high-skilled work, compared with 39% of Jewish Israelis overall. The program is geared to the advancement of those working in jobs for which they are overqualified, advancement of adults lacking education and those employed in unskilled and/or low-paying jobs despite their potential for more. The program refers participants to relevant employment, vocational training and higher education, and helps them formulate individual career development plans. The guiding principle is offering a professional and educational horizon for participants by helping them create career paths for professional and financial advancement in keeping with their abilities and aspirations. The program consists of two tracks: Individual support; Training, in conjunction with employers, and funding of tuition and living expenses in preparation for job placement. Participating employers include El Al Israel Airlines, Israel Aircraft Industries, Elbit Electronics, Israel Electric Company, Magen David Adom medical emergency services, and others.