TVET/Vocational Learners

Young Africa Works is the Mastercard Foundation flagship strategy to enable 30 million young Africans (predominantly women) to access dignified work by 2030. Operating in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Uganda, it strengthens TVET systems, supports labor market development, and enables access to finance. The Kenya TVET program offers skills certification and Recognition of Prior Learning. Nigeria focuses on agriculture, creative industries, and digital economy sectors.

Generation is a global nonprofit launched by McKinsey in 2014 addressing youth unemployment through intensive 4-12 week boot camps combining technical, behavioral, and mindset skills. Operating in 13+ countries across healthcare, technology, customer service, and skilled trades, the program uses a demand-driven model identifying employer needs first. 83% of graduates are employed within 90 days, earning 2-6x their previous income. Curriculum focuses on breakdown moments that differentiate high performers.

Swisscontact implements skills development programs across developing countries focusing on behavior change through learner-centered pedagogy, soft skills integration, and private sector engagement. Programs like Swiss Skills for Competitiveness (SS4C) in Indonesia integrate dual Vocational Education and Training elements. In Uganda, the organization works to change societal perceptions that deter youth from practical trades despite high labor market demand. Curricula include green skills, digital skills, and entrepreneurship.

The ILO Core Work Skills initiative addresses the gap between technical training and employer expectations by integrating soft skills into vocational programs. The approach emphasizes learning to learn, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork as essential employability skills. The Ready for Business (R4B) self-facilitated program helps vulnerable youth develop entrepreneurial skills, with 83% feeling confident to start a business after completion. Know About Your Business (KAB) is a 120-hour entrepreneurship awareness course.

Entra21 was a landmark youth employment initiative (2001-2011) across 22 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, providing job training and placement to disadvantaged youth aged 16-29. A collaboration between International Youth Foundation and IDB Multilateral Investment Fund, it demonstrated 8 percentage point increases in formal employment and up to 50% higher earnings. The model evolved into the New Employment Opportunities (NEO) initiative (2012-2018) continuing to scale impact.