STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES TO DRIVE POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE
Overview
Teacher candidates in Algeria learn highimpact teaching strategies for English and technology skills to improve the employability of at-risk youth.
Countries worldwide are struggling to adapt to unstable economic environments and a global marketplace that increasingly relies on innovation in science and technology. In this rapidly changing context, governments need a skilled workforce that provides the human capital necessary to prosper in a modern economy. Furthermore, the more than one billion young people in developing countries are three times more likely to be unemployed than adults. Education systems are failing them, leaving millions to drop out before
TERTIARY EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
acquiring basic literacy and numeracy skills. Those who continue on to higher education often graduate without the requisite skills to meet the needs of the labor market. The situation is further exacerbated in fragile states where rising youth unemployment threatens to destabilize efforts to create vibrant and healthy democracies.
Approach World Learning supports governments in tackling the employment gap through interventions in both higher education and general workforce development. Our programs focus on developing young people’s relevant technical and English language skills so they can find employment, provide for themselves and their families, and become more engaged members of society. World Learning’s programs strengthen traditional higher education structures while encouraging the private sector to play a larger role in shaping education programming. The core theme of World Learning’s approach
World Learning is a nonprofit organization that advances leadership through education, exchange, and development programs in more than 60 countries.
is capacity development—empowering individu-
of Algiers to deliver English language and tech-
als and institutions to initiate and sustain long-
nology programs for out-of-school youth.
lasting, transformative change. World Learning also helps institutions strengthen In Algeria, World Learning works with university
their capacity to implement meaningful work-
faculties of business and English to align cur-
force development programs. In Macedonia,
riculum with private sector needs and introduce
we built the capacity of the national Vocational
flexible methods of course delivery such as si-
Education and Training (VET) Center, enabling it
multaneous video web casts and online distance
to lead strategic partnership projects as part of
learning. World Learning also develops career
major workforce development initiatives in the
centers that provide students with practical
country. These initiatives included improving the
skills training, access to internships, and career
quality of practical training of VET students in
counseling. Our model, emphasizing the inter-
real business environments and creating oc-
face between universities, the private sector, and
cupational standards and curricula for the VET
civil society, is also being implemented through
institutions to generate qualified workers.
a career center network at three universities in Egypt. Additionally, World Learning is supporting the Egyptian Ministry of Education in establishing a network of elite science, math, and technology
Testimonial “Thanks to the program, I shared ideas with other
high schools linked to the private sector and
trainers; thanks to the career center I built my
designed to prepare a technology-driven work-
career; and most of all, thanks to World Learning,
force for the future.
I contributed and did important things for the society. Thank you for guiding me, helping me,
Furthermore, World Learning works with at-risk
inspiring me.”
populations, who are often denied access to
- Salim Chamkha
skills training and other opportunities. In Mexico,
University Career Center participant
World Learning has partnered with Cisco to
University of Ouargla, Algeria
provide training opportunities in entrepreneurship and technology for youth affected by the violence of gang warfare and drug trafficking. In Algeria, World Learning is helping local
Contact
youth centers in disadvantaged neighborhoods
education@worldlearning.org
1015 15th St, NW Seventh Floor Washington, DC 20005
It is the policy of World Learning to provide equal employment and educational opportunities for all persons regardless of age, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, physical or learning ability, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran’s status, or any other legally protected status.
Phone Fax Email
+202 408-5420 +202 408-5397 development@worldlearning.org
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