These are the common obstacles marginalized groups in Israel slam into when they graduate college and start their job search. And the statistics speak to these sizeable hurdles: Only 12 percent of Arabs in Israel are university graduates. For Haredi men in Israel, 47 percent are not employed and 27 percent of the women are not in the workplace.
Now, Aluma-The Next Step, a national internship program in Israel, brings its expertise to help break down barriers to employment for Arab and Haredi students who will soon graduate.
This past year, with support from UJA-Federation and other organizations, The Next Step provided 105 Arab students and 130 Haredi students with 120 internship hours to gain professional experience and guidance in workplace issues. Unlike the U.S., internships are not commonplace in Israel, and The Next Step provides a unique opportunity for students.
“The hospital administration internship really gave me a chance to see how a hospital works up close, and gave me hands-on experience,” Asmaa says. She will graduate this year from Hadassah Academic College in Jerusalem and hopes to continue her education in a graduate program for risk management.