Siraj Bedouin Program

Empowering Bedouin youth and graduates with the skills, experience, and opportunities to build successful careers in Israel’s high-tech industry.

The Challenge

Bedouin students and graduates remain significantly underrepresented in Israel’s high-tech sector, often facing limited exposure, professional networks, and hands-on industry experience needed to transition into employment.

  • Large community: Approximately 305,000 Bedouins live in Israel, representing about 3.5% of the country’s population. 3.5% 3.5%
  • Young population: 51.7% of Negev Bedouins are under age 18. 51.7% 51.7%
  • Employment gap: Only 24% of the total Negev Bedouin population is employed. 24% 24%
  • Higher education gap: Only 10.1% of Bedouin young adults ages 20–25 are higher education students. 10.1% 10.1%
  • STEM gap: Just 1.12% of Bedouin undergraduate students study mathematics, statistics, or computer science. 1.12% 1.12%
  • Economic mobility gap: Less than 9% of all Negev Bedouin residents earn above minimum wage. 9% 9%

Limited Access, Untapped Potential

The Bedouin community represents approximately 305,000 people—about 3.5% of Israel’s population—and is one of the country’s youngest and fastest-growing populations. Yet Bedouins remain significantly underrepresented in higher education, STEM fields, and high-tech: only 10.1% of Bedouin young adults ages 20–25 are enrolled in higher education, and just 1.12% of Bedouin undergraduates study mathematics, statistics, or computer science.

Our Solution

Siraj creates a clear pathway into high-tech by reaching Bedouin youth and young adults at critical stages: high school, higher education, workforce entry, and career development. The program combines STEM exposure, academic support, mentoring, practical training, networking, internships, and employer connections to help participants understand what a career in technology can look like and gain the tools to pursue it.

Inside the Program: Our Programs

 

  • Alumni Network: Personal and professional development, mentoring, technical training, community gatherings, and networking opportunities.
  • Student Community: Peer connections, seminars, workshops, and hackathons.
  • Practi-Tech: Hands-on experience in technological projects, development of professional skills and teamwork, while connecting participants with high-tech companies and real-world projects.
  • Student Mentorship: Academic support, learning strategies, confidence-building, and encouragement for long-term persistence and success.
  • Career Mentorship: Preparation for the job market, exposure to technological roles, and professional skill-building.
  • Community Awareness Initiatives: Lectures, open dialogue, and exposure to the world of high-tech.
  • Exposure & Experience Workshops: Introduction to the high-tech industry through workshops, company tours, and meetings with industry professionals.
  • High School Hackathon: Encouraging teamwork, creative thinking, and the development of solutions for real-life challenges.
  • The Digital Tent: In partnership with Ben-Gurion University — developing practical app-development projects while promoting innovation and international collaboration.

Our Impact So Far

%

program participants are employed in the high-tech industry today

participants are part of the student community

partner schools throughout Bedouin communities in the Negev

%

a growing network of Bedouin high-tech alumni across southern Israel

Success Stories

My name is Ihab Abu Riash, and I am from Hura, a Bedouin town in the northern Negev. I joined the itworks’ Qualitest QA training program. After completing the course, I successfully entered the high-tech workforce. Today, I work as a Software Test Engineer at Qualitest, specializing in the Data Lake domain. The training program provided me with the knowledge and professional skills that became my first step toward building a career in the high-tech industry.

Abu Riash

My name is Haiman Alkranawi, and I am from Rahat. I am a Team Leader at Siraj, where I manage complex projects using innovative technological solutions. I am also the proud father of three wonderful children. After graduating with a degree in Software Engineering, I struggled to find a job in my field. Like many others, I was preparing to follow the more traditional path of becoming a teacher. Everything changed when I met Siraj through one of its hackathon competitions.
That opportunity led me to join Siraj’s On-the-Job Training (OJT) program, which ultimately helped me secure a position in the high-tech industry.
Today, I lead a team of employees, work directly with clients, and manage innovative technology projects.

Haiman Alkranawi

A Single Opportunity Can Change a Life

For many Bedouin students and graduates, a high-tech career begins with one opportunity: a mentor, a STEM program, or a first internship. Your support helps open these doors, expanding access to education, employment, and economic mobility while building a more inclusive high-tech workforce for Israel.

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