Nefesh BNefesh

Background | Eligibility | Amount of Assistance | Designation of the Assistance | Implementation of the Process | Payment Procedure

Background

In order to facilitate the professional integration of Olim and Toshavim Chozrim (returning residents), Misrad Haklita (Ministry of Absorption) has decided to reactivate the Voucher Project which has been frozen since October 2009. The objective of the project is to broaden the range of professional choices available to Olim.

Eligibility

Olim and Toshavim Chozrim who fall into the following categories are eligible for the program:

• Those who are unemployed
• Those whose professions are not in demand.
• Are over the age of 18 and under the official retirement age as appears in regulation 6.113 sub clause 5.1.3.
• An Oleh, Ezrach Oleh and Katin Chozer within 10 years of Aliyah (and who was at least 15 years old upon receiving their Aliyah status).
• A Toshav Chozer within 2 years of the date of return to Israel.
• Has knowledge of Hebrew – a graduate of Ulpan Alef or has command of Hebrew parallel to that level (including during the period of absorption basket payments)

Olim who want to take a vocational training course in English and have it covered through the Voucher Program must be at least at Level Aleph in Hebrew. They can either take an Ulpan, or take the placement test at the Ulpan, to prove that they are at this level.

Eligibility for the program for Gorerei Zchuyot is within the 10 year eligibility for employment benefits.

Those who are eligible for vouchers as part of the Negev-Galil program are also eligible for this voucher.

Amount of Assistance

The sum of the assistance for an Oleh/Toshav Chozer will not exceed 7,000 NIS, provided it does not exceed 80% of the actual expense. The Oleh/Toshav Chozer is responsible for the remaining 20% of the cost of the course.

A course that is at least 24 hours a week will entitle the Oleh to living and travel expenses according to the relevant regulations.

Those eligible for income assistance during their first year of Aliyah are also entitled to the voucher assistance, in accordance with this temporary order.

Designation of the Assistance

The program is designed for 3 fields:

1. Employment

• Training that is in demand in the job market in accordance with the approval of Misrad Haklita’s Employment Department.
• Training that is not offered by Misrad Haklita’s Employment Department or other government offices.
• For training toward completion of licensure requirements, the assistance shall be granted to Olim in fields in which the courses are not provided by the Employment Department or other government offices. Toshavim Chozrim (those who left Israel after the age of 14) are not eligible for this assistance. 

2. Entrepreneurs

Group or personal training will be covered if it is not offered by the Ministry. A voucher will not be granted for courses delivered in the MATI system funded by Misrad Haklita.

3. Science Absorption

Assistance will be provided for training in an area approved by the Office of Science Absorption.

Implementation of the Process

A personal vocational plan must be designed for each Oleh, signed by a Klita (absorption) counselor, employment counselor and the Oleh.

If the Oleh's plan includes training that isn't available in other governmental departments, it will be recommended that the Oleh find the training he seeks in the private sector.

The counselor will examine the "feasibility" of the proposed course (the cost, quality of proposed training, credibility of the institution, etc.). Each counselor will have a list of professions in demand and accredited training institutions that will be updated in a timely fashion.

The employment supervisor must approve the voucher based on the Oleh's request  and the employment counselor's recommendation.  

The relevant department has the right to reject the Oleh's request for a specific voucher when it does not fulfill the above conditions.

Payment Procedure

The coupon payment shall be carried out at two appointed times. The first half will be paid to the Oleh after presenting a receipt for full or partial payment for the training, an approval signed by the employment supervisor or director of the science absorption field, and a signed commitment by the Oleh regarding participation in the course (in accordance with the training institute's requirements). The other portion will be paid in the middle of the training period after the Oleh has submitted attendance reports, a receipt from the training institute, and approval by the Klita counselor.

The payment and budget will be checked and carried out in the Chamber's Finance Department and transferred to the Oleh's personal account.

The current Voucher Project is in effect from February 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011.