MENA Youth Empowerment Strategy: Preparing Yemeni Youth for the Labor Market

MENA Youth Empowerment Strategy: Preparing Yemeni Youth for the Labor Market
Through the MENA Youth Empowerment Strategy (MENA-YES), Global Communities, in partnership with the Caterpillar Foundation, has launched a three-year, $4.4 million program to target youth aged 15 to 29 in Jordan, Lebanon and Yemen to prepare them for the labor market and job placement. Special emphasis is being given to disadvantaged youth, low- to medium-level skilled individuals, women, peri-urban and rural youth, and individuals working in hazardous environments. The program offers technical, demand-driven training, assistance with internship and apprenticeship placement, as well as, support for entrepreneurship and self employment activities and assistance accessing credit.
To date, more than 300 Yemeni youth have received vocational training and another 200 youth will complete their courses in spring 2015. Based on market needs assessments, Global Communities works with the private sector and training institutions to ensure that youth are trained in the skills that are needed in the target industry. Fields offered through the program range from electrical network installation, hybrid car mechanics and renewable energy to security, cosmetology, cooking and hospitality. In additional to specialized vocational training, MENA YES offers a course in employment skills, entrepreneurship and financial literacy which aims to help those who are seeking jobs, but also helps youth who want to create and manage their own small businesses.