Forsatech Program

Our Flagship Program: Opening high-tech doors for Arabs throughout Israel.

“Forsa” means “opportunity” in Arabic, and that’s exactly what we provide. Forsatech creates real pathways for Arab communities to overcome systemic barriers and achieve lasting economic independence.

History: From small beginnings to a state-sponsored movement

Forsatech is one of the most successful employment programs serving marginalized communities in Israel. What began as a small pilot developed by itworks in 2009, quickly proved its success and led the Israeli government to adopt and expand it nationwide in 2011. Today, Forsatech is a government-funded program that opens doors to quality employment for Arab, Bedouin, Druze, and East Jerusalem communities.

The Challenge

Education and Training Gaps

Arab schools often lack strong STEM programs, with only ~13% of Arab high schoolers qualifying for STEM matriculation (vs. ~30% of Jewish students). As a result, just ~4% of Arab students reach top university tech tracks, and many drop out due to financial pressures, limited support, and weaker English.

Lack of Professional Networks

Arab graduates (with the exception of Druze) often lack the professional networks (army service, family ties, and alumni connections) that Jewish peers rely on. With fewer internships and mentors, their resumes are weaker and entry into high-tech is much harder.

Geographic & Infrastructure Barriers

Over 75% of Arab Israelis live in the Galilee, Negev, and East Jerusalem, far from Israel’s main high-tech hubs, where about 70% of jobs are clustered in Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Petah Tikva, and Haifa. Limited public transport and weaker infrastructure make training and employment opportunities even harder to access.

Language & Cultural Barriers

Many Arab jobseekers struggle with professional Hebrew (64% report it as a substantial barrier) and modest communication styles can hurt in interviews or lead to cultural misunderstandings at work. Arab women face added challenges, with only ~34% participating in the labor force compared to ~66% of Jewish women.

Discrimination & Bias

Research shows that resumes with Arab names receive 30–50% fewer callbacks than identical Jewish CVs. Bias, stereotypes, and even security concerns often lead employers to assume Arab candidates “won’t fit,” blocking fair opportunities.

Structural Underrepresentation

Arabs make up 21% of Israel’s population but hold less than 3% of high-tech jobs, with Arab women representing only about 0.5% of the sector. With so few role models or mentors, the cycle of underrepresentation continues.

Our Solution

Forsatech was designed to remove the systemic barriers that keep Arab communities from participating fully in Israel’s high-tech sector. Where education gaps, lack of networks, and geographic isolation limit opportunity, Forsatech provides training, mentorship, and direct access to employers. Where language, cultural differences, and discrimination create obstacles, Forsatech offers targeted support, guidance, and advocacy to ensure participants can succeed.

Inside the Program

Forsatech equips participants with the skills, confidence, and connections they need to thrive in Israel’s high-tech sector. The program includes three core components:

1. Soft Skills & Career Readiness

Preparing participants with the tools they need to enter the workforce with confidence and succeed from day one.

  • Language instruction in Hebrew and English
  • Cultural adaptation to the Israeli high-tech ecosystem
  • Mentoring in resume writing and interview preparation
  • Employer engagement and networking opportunities
  • Interactive webinar workshops and job-readiness sessions
  • Job fairs with leading tech companies
  • Ongoing guidance and support during the first months of employment

2. Professional & Vocational Training

Equipping participants with industry-specific knowledge and hands-on skills demanded by Israel’s leading tech companies.

  • Data Science
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Quality Assurance
  • DevOps Program
  • Management
  • Cyber Security
  • VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration)

3. Job Placement & Employer Partnerships

Connecting graduates directly to Israel’s top employers and ensuring strong matches that lead to lasting careers.

  • Direct access to job openings from Israel’s top tech companies
  • Partnerships with 100+ employers committed to hiring Forsatech graduates
  • Guidance to match candidates with roles that fit their skills and career goals
  • Support in adapting positions to meet both employer needs and participant strengths

Our Impact So Far

women trained and empowered through three cohorts

%

graduation rate — despite major life disruptions

%

have secured remote jobs or entered job pipelines — on track to reach 75% placement

%

women report increased digital confidence, greater financial stability, and hope for the future

Stories from Our Graduates

“I acquired tools and skills in the course that I would not have gained anywhere else! The course is very practical and includes hands-on training. I really learned how to develop a product. Everything I learned, I applied in the final project. Only thanks to the course was I able to find a job. I feel lucky.”

Saeed A.

“I was hired thanks to the tools and training that itworks taught me. They prepared me with the right skills to enter the industry as a professional in my field.

I am also now a mentor for young Arab engineers who are looking for work in the high-tech and IT industries, as part of one of itworks programs. It is so rewarding to help the youth with networking and support them in gaining the confidence they need to be successful.”

Sirin N.

“My path was full of obstacles. I had to choose my actions carefully and strategically. I set my sights on a goal, knew the role I wanted and steered my career in that direction – it included self-learning, mentoring from people who inspired me, initiative and productivity.

As a graduate student, I wanted to finish my degree with an advantage, with the hopes of being integrated into the high-tech world. As a student I was looking for a program that would enable me to grow and learn on a personal level and to strengthen my professional and personal skills. Itworks exposed me to interesting content that gave me exactly the advantage I was looking for.”

Salam B.

“Itworks helped me advance my skills and educated me in a profession. They introduced me to the high-tech world and helped me learn new tools to succeed.

During my degree itworks provided me with training in Application Development, practical knowledge that I could use in my future employment. My self-confidence and networking improved due to the support they gave me. I received assistance with my resume and had professionals within the high-tech industry coach me and assist me in preparation for my interviews. I was also taught proper conduct in the workplace.
Itworks had my back throughout all the stages of finding a job and accompanied me not only before, but also once I started the job.

Thank you, itworks, for getting me this far and for the tremendous support along the way.”

Muhammed N.

“Life is very challenging, we get out of it what we put into it. Sometimes the journey is filled with obstacles – and as a graduate student or as someone who is unemployed, the obstacles often seem far greater. We have to prepare for this journey and learn to succeed. Itworks and the tools they provided me are a source of knowledge and strength for all who are looking for work.

I went to my first interview with HP Indigo and thanks to itworks, I was well prepared. Be calm and answer questions accordingly, get to the point, go with the flow and feel confident and comfortable with your answers. I passed the first interview successfully and continued on for a series of interviews. itworks accompanied me throughout and helped me improve myself each time. They continuously gave me the support and self-assurance I needed to continue with the process, until finally, I was accepted for the position that I am currently in today.

After three years of working as an engineer I am still in contact with itworks and I know that they are always there to support and help me overcome any challenges that come my way.”

Saied A.

“I started looking for a job while I was still in my second year of my degree, as a student of Electronics. I kept running into obstacles that hindered my progress, and barely got invited to interviews – and once I finally did get an interview, I froze and couldn’t continue. I was forced to start working in house renovation – it was my only option. It gave me the much-needed finances to continue my studies and to enable me to finish my degree. At a certain stage I lost hope and almost completely abandoned my studies – the financial pressures with the taxing physical work in building became too much for me to handle. My dream was to be in high-tech, however I felt like I couldn’t reach my goals. Then, like a gift, I was introduced to itworks.

The itworks team helped me work on my resume, they prepared me for interviews and gave me the know-how I was missing, and they opened up my eyes and explained the various options that lay before me. Their efforts were tremendous. Suddenly, I had renewed energy and my confidence was lifted. Einat was always there for me, available to answer all my questions. She supported me, prepared me for what was ahead and most importantly, she believed in me. I finally had a support system. Today, as I look back I realize how I managed to overcome my difficulties, itworks was a turning point for me. I have been working at Kornit Digital and Developments for three years now and finally my dreams are coming true. I highly recommend going to itworks, trust in them and I promise you that you won’t regret it!”

Ibrahim D.

“I highly recommend Maisam as a Technical Recruiter from itworks, Maisam helped me through the entire job search and application process, it was a tough year with layoffs and the freeze in the high-tech industry and although there were very few positions for students, Maisam kept searching and finding me places I couldn’t reach. and connect me with people that I had no idea how to connect with. Maisam also helped me improve my CV. Maisam is a very talented person who gives all the time and attention needed to a person, very professional and well-prepared for every question and help needed.“

Ade D.

“My name is Basil, and I’m a graduate of Electrical Engineering from Tel Aviv University. I would like to thank itworks for the support they have given me. Whether it was sending my resume to companies, guiding me on how to improve my resume, or suggesting various courses that could help me expand my knowledge and come prepared for job interviews. Thank you very much for everything.”

Basil M.

“I heard about itworks through friends from university, and I started meeting the team at job fairs and at every event held on campus. Each time I met the team at the fairs, we had conversations that encouraged me to keep trying to find a job and not be afraid because of the market situation. That support continued, as they constantly sent me relevant job opportunities. I went through several application processes and also participated in almost all of their successful webinars, especially the job fair organized by the organization.

I’m very grateful to you and always tell students who are looking for work about this project, encouraging them to take part and benefit from the services the organization offers.”

Ma’a M.

Be Part of Progress

Your support fuels opportunity. By partnering with Forsatech, you help Arab engineers, women, and new immigrants break through barriers to Israel’s high-tech sector. Every job created means a life changed, a family strengthened, and a society made more inclusive.

Donate
Partner with Us