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ILO Core Work Skills for Youth Employability

Global (80+ countries), Multi-Regional

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.

Behavior Goal

Build core employability behaviors and entrepreneurial mindset among youth to improve school-to-work transitions

Implementers & Partners

  • International Labour Organization
  • ITC-ILO
  • William Davidson Institute
  • National TVET Institutions

Donors & Sponsors

  • ILO
  • Donor Governments

Key Takeaways

  • 1Core work skills (soft skills) often determine employment success more than technical skills alone
  • 2Ready for Business program: 83% confidence to start business post-completion
  • 3Know About Your Business: 120-hour entrepreneurship awareness course in multiple languages
  • 4Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) scaled to 80+ countries
  • 5School-to-Work Transition Surveys inform evidence-based programming

Sources

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