Study finds more haredim turning to higher education

Industry Ministry study: Haredim study in order to improve their standard of living, and are encouraged by their families.

A comprehensive study by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor indicates that many haredim (ultra-orthodox Jews) are going to college to acquire a profession and enter the labor market. They are mainly studying law, education and teaching, and business administration. More than half of the haredi students who filled out the study's questionnaire said that the choice of subject was a personal choice, and 12% said that the choice of subject was based on demand for graduates in the marketplace or the possibility of career promotion.

The study, completed a few months ago, covered more than 2,000 haredi students from various sects, who are going to college to acquire a skill through Kemach Foundation (Foundation for Promoting Haredi Employment). The foundation currently offers scholarships to 6,000 haredi students at institutions of higher education. 83% of the students in the program are married, and they have an average of 3.6 children. 80% of the students are men, and 20% are women.

The study was carried out as part of the Ministry of Industry's main objectives for the coming years - to integrate haredim and Arabs in the workforce, in view of the high unemployment rates in those communities. The study found that half of the haredi respondents said that the main reason for entering higher or vocational education was to acquire a profession and join the workforce.

The study also found that the haredi students going to college in an attempt to enter the labor market in the future have the blessing of their families. 78% of the respondents said that their parents strongly supported their decision, 93% said that their spouses supported their decision; 76% said that they had the support of other family members, and 69% said that they had the support or strong support of friends and neighbors in the haredi community. However, 30% of the respondents said that received no support, or even encountered opposition to their decision.

"Belying pessimistic assessments, the data indicate that the rate of growth in the number of haredi students in higher education is rising linearly, and that the range of their studies is expanding. This trend strengthens the optimistic view of the future of haredim in higher education. We believe that this trend will strengthen in the coming years," said the researchers.

The Kemach Foundation was established in 2007. Most of its scholarships are financed by philanthropic donations, including from its founder Leo Noe, the Wolfson Foundation, and a South American philanthropist. The foundation's average support per student is $10,000, to support the students' families during their studies.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 29, 2013

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2013

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