Improving Job Prospects for Palestinian Youth: The Role of Internships and Volunteering in Enhancing Employment Opportunities Amidst Conflict

This in-depth study investigates the role of internships and voluntary work in improving employment opportunities for Palestinian youth, graduates, and new entrants to the labour market, especially in the on-going political and economic crisis still facing the country. The Palestinian labour market still suffers from continuous instability and high unemployment rates, particularly among youth, graduates, and women. This is due to limited economic opportunities and political instability, which undermines youth opportunities and prevents them from accessing decent work opportunities. In Palestine, internships and volunteering are promoted as effective strategic tools to bridge the gap between educational outcomes at all levels and labour market needs by providing participants with the practical, technical, and life skills required by employers. Based on theories of human and social capital and career path, this study uses a quantitative empirical approach to measure the impact of these programs on the ability of youth and graduates to access available job opportunities compared to their peers who did not participate in these programs in the conflict-affected Palestinian context. This study aims to shed light on the importance of internships and volunteering in bridging the gap in the Palestinian labour market between educational outcomes and market needs, thus adding a valuable research contribution to the Palestinian and global scientific and research library. After analysing the results of a survey of 398 participants of all ages and educational levels, using several statistical tools, including correlation coefficients and logistic regression coefficients, the results answered the research question: Will young people and recent graduates who train and/or volunteer find employment opportunities faster and better than others in light of the on-going conflict in Palestine? The study also presented a set of practical and policy recommendations to maximize the benefits of internships and volunteering programs to increase their positive impact on employment opportunities for participants. This research will clearly contribute to presenting new insights on how training and volunteering can enhance youth’s resilience and integration into the labour market, especially in societies experiencing conflict and political and economic instability.