Raad Mahmoud Al-Tal

The banking sector in Jordan is a key driver of economic growth and job creation, making the readiness of new graduates to enter the sector a critical issue for both policymakers and financial institutions. In this context, the Jordan Banking Association conducted a comprehensive study in the first quarter of 2025, drawing on the insights of human resources managers from banks across the Kingdom and employment data from 2024. The study aimed to assess the current employment landscape, identify the skills required, and examine emerging trends in the banking labor market.

According to the study, the banking workforce in Jordan numbered 22,996 employees by the end of 2024, with 14,827 males (64.5 per cent) and 8,169 females (35.5 per cent). Notably, 1,283 newly graduated employees were recruited during the year, accounting for 49 per cent of all new hires. This highlights the sector’s vital role in providing meaningful employment opportunities for Jordan’s youth.

The study found that most new hires were placed in operational and customer-facing roles within branches, including tellers, customer service officers, call center agents, and customer relations and direct sales officers. These positions remain essential for maintaining direct interaction with clients, even as digital services expand.

At the same time, there is a clear shift toward hiring in technical and digital support roles. Eight banks reported recruiting graduates for positions such as IT support, application development, junior cybersecurity officers, and digital banking services. This trend reflects the ongoing digital transformation of the sector and the increasing demand for staff capable of safeguarding systems and ensuring the continuity of remote banking operations.

The study also highlighted growing demand for analytical and regulatory roles in six banks, including business and data analysts, risk managers, and internal auditors. This underscores the rising importance of data-driven decision-making and the heightened regulatory and compliance requirements resulting from rapid technological change. Moreover, banks continue to rely on specialized operational roles which remain central to accurate financial processing despite digitalisation.

In terms of academic backgrounds, the study shows continued demand for graduates in accounting, financial and banking sciences, economics, and business administration, which form the backbone of traditional banking functions. Simultaneously, demand is growing for graduates in IT, computer science, cybersecurity, and data analytics. Emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and data management are also entering the labor market, signaling a forward-looking approach by banks to future workforce needs.

Despite high graduate hiring rates, banks face notable challenges, including limited knowledge of modern banking practices, insufficient specialized skills, weak communication abilities, low digital literacy, and limited awareness of professional banking culture. These gaps point to a persistent misalignment between university outputs and labor market requirements.

Looking ahead, the study anticipates strong growth in technology- and data-focused roles. Key positions expected to expand include big data analysts, AI specialists, financial cybersecurity officers, financial data analysts, compliance and digital governance officers, technology risk analysts, banking application developers, and digital payments systems analysts. This clearly demonstrates that the future of Jordan’s banking sector is increasingly tied to digital innovation.

The study emphasizes a shared responsibility between banks and universities to enhance graduate readiness. It recommends updating curricula to integrate financial knowledge with technical skills through interdisciplinary programs such as finance and digital transformation or accounting and data analytics. Expanding practical training and fostering partnerships with banks will equip students with hands on experience and improve their employability.

Jordan’s banking sector is undergoing a transitional phase that combines traditional roles with modern digital and analytical skills. Aligning education with labor market needs, strengthening graduate competencies, and promoting innovation in digital services will enable the sector to drive sustainable economic growth, expand financial inclusion, and transform banks from mere employers into catalysts for national development.