Entering the workforce is one of the most important life transitions for young people. Worldwide, youth unemployment rates are 2-3 times higher than that of adults. In most developing countries the rate is higher in urban areas than in rural areas and is higher for young women than for young men. Key reasons for global youth unemployment include: lack of information about career options, lack of skills, and lack of connections to potential employers. Despite this, young people have the fastest wage increases during on-the-job training and may be particularly attractive to firms in the new and growing sectors of the economy because they are quick to adopt the new production methods and technology.

Our program seeks to create pathways for young people to effectively enter the workforce by:

• Providing comprehensive employment services and career guidance
• Connecting youth to employers
• Offering work and training experiences