An estimated 200 million young people across the world are either out-of-work or living in low-income poverty3. For some, the problem is not a lack of education, but a lack of the skills and confidence needed to secure decent employment.
Through our employability projects, we aim to help young people overcome these challenges, and ultimately enter and remain in decent work. Specifically, we focus on providing young people from low-income communities with employment-related knowledge and skills.
By helping bridge skills gaps and enabling young people with the confidence to enter decent employment, we expect to see a ripple effect that benefits companies and economies across our markets. As a result, businesses facing talent shortages will access a wider pool of employment-ready candidates.
We also include technology-based upskilling in many of our employability projects, so that new hires will be better prepared for the future of work.
The results We reached 189,329 young people through employability projects in 33 markets between January 2019 and mid-2022.
3International Labour Organization, InfoStories: Employment – What stands between youth and decent jobs?
Qiting lost her eyesight at age 14 – but wouldn’t let this define her. Initially stuck at home, she joined a Futuremakers employability project in China in 2020. The training helped her prepare her CV and learn interview tips and workplace etiquette. The additional career mentoring and encouragement from other participants with disabilities gave Qiting the confidence to take her next step. She now works as a swimming teacher for people with disabilities.
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The strong sense of belonging gave me courage and strength. I was determined to return to society and make a living.
Aisha’s family were struggling to make ends meet, and they couldn’t afford her education beyond secondary school. However, thanks to a Futuremakers’ employability programme, Aisha was funded through a technical and vocational skills training course at a local school. Six months after completion, Aisha secured a job as an assistant technician at an engineering firm.
I believe that there are many more steps to go to reach where I want to be. This training is just the first step to my success.
