Entering the job market skilled and prepared through Learn4WorkOverview 2008-2012

What is Learn4Work ?Learn4Work supports young Africans to find a job. In many developing countries youth unemployment is sky-high. This creates a generation with limited opportunities to build their future. Stagnating economic development and a low level of education leave youth little chances to improve their living conditions. Often the job market is more specialised and higher levels of skills are demanded. The unique Learn4Work programme therefore prepares young people for specific trades, crafts and careers through technical and vocational education.

Relevant skills for local companiesLearn4Work also ensures that whát youth learn is useful to perform well in their future jobs. In many cases technical and vocational education is too theoretical and does not prepare for the work on the ground. African and Dutch businesses and schools work together to guarantee that trainings and education programmes meet the needs of local companies and employers.

Solid income The young graduates now start their careers better skilled and with a boosted CV. They can earn a solid income that provides for themselves and their families. In areas with little formal employment people are also trained on entrepreneurship so they can set up their own business.

Work in partnershipBetween 2008 and 2012 Learn4Work has co-finan-ced 8 innovative initiatives in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya and Zambia. These initiatives were implemented by different actors, working in partnership, varying from schools, government partners but also NGO’s and the private sector. Working in partnership is essential for the Learn4Work programme. Together, partners have a wealth of knowledge, expertise and network. Jointly they can effectively strengthen technical and vocational education and market-oriented shorter courses in these countries. Learn4Work is co-funded by the Dutch Government. However 60% of resources is contributed by part-ner organisations and private sector partners.

Students

Jobseekers

Employees

Schools Employers Enterprises

Boosting African youth employment

Learn4Work has developed a 7 steps tool to analyse the local demand for skills. In Kenya three Learn4Work partner organisations systematically analyse local markets and communities to find out what people really need. Of course, once you know what communities, customers and employees demand, you also know what the local businesses opportunities are. Then education programmes are developed to teach unemployed youth those skills that are needed in their communities. This tool has been tested in urban and semi-urban settings and has proved to be valuable and suitable in both contexts. Now Learn4Work supports the usage of this the tool outside of Kenya. This results in more young people benefitting from useful and practical trainings that prepare them for the real work.

Inspire othersOften what you learn in one country

can be useful to others. Therefore Learn4Work has widely shared field

experiences that can help and inspire other projects. In 2 occasions a

project was such a success it has been used to develop a model or tool. And more will follow. Learn4Work wants to encourage and support others to

multiply these successes and use the tools in a different context or country.In Ghana over

350 teachers are trained on improved didactics and technical skills.

In Ethiopia it now takes graduates only half the time compared to before to find a job. Their quality of education is much better and more relevant to local companies that are now eager to recruit them.

Technical and vocation schools in Kenya developed an excellent track & trace system to keep in touch with their graduates. They can now improve their programmes based on their feedback.

In the rural Eastern Region of Zambia, 565 boys and girls are trained in a short course on Business and Entrepreneurial Skills. In one year the enrolment for this course increased with 20%. A clear sign that the quality of the training is now higher and the diploma is more valued than before.

EDUKANSThe Dutch development organisation

Edukans coordinates the Learn4Work

programme. Edukans works on

improving and enriching education in

both the Netherlands and in developing

countries by for example exchange

programmes, advisory services and

training. This approach is at the core of

Learn4Work.

The Job and Business Services model has been developed in Ethiopia. This project by vocational institutions has been extremely successful, ensuring almost 100% employment to graduates. They search for suitable companies that can offer apprenticeships. They also help students to get micro credit to start their own business. By collecting feedback from graduates, they adjust the curriculum to ensure what is taught is practical and useful on the work floor. This successful example of matching students and employers can be used in other countries as well. Learn4Work helps others to support and coach graduates in their job search in a similar way.

Join Learn4Work Within the Learn4Work programme, over 200 partners from all over the world are collaborating and inspiring each other to fight youth un-employment. They work together in partnerships, yet come from very different backgrounds. A wealth of knowledge and experience has been summarised in a useful guidebook on how to successfully set up a well-functioning partnership. Working Together. A practical guide on vocatio-nal education in Africa guides you through the basic principles of international collaboration and is a must-read for everyone who wants to contribute to quality and relevance of vocational education. The guidebook can be ordered free of charge through the website www.learn4work.edukans.org.

Learn4Work continues to support youth in Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana as well as Rwanda and Uganda and the programme is always open to fresh and innovative ideas. Several calls for project proposals are expected between 2014-2016.

Are you: Working on vocational education and looking

for opportunities to bring an international dimension into your classroom?

A Dutch or African business owner that wants to improve the skills of your employees?

Starting a project with different partners and interested in how Learn4Work can coach and advise you to make your project a success?

An NGO interested to work on technical and vocational education and looking for partners?

Or would you like to learn more about Learn4Work, Edukans, one of our partners or vocational education and training?

Please contact Learn4Work at Learn4Work@edukans.nl

and learn what Learn4Work can do for you. You are welcome to join the

Learn4Work network.

PO Box 1492 | 3800 BL Amersfoort Netherlands | T +31 (0)33 460 60 10 learn4work@edukans.nl | learn4work.edukans.org | NL21 INGB 0000 0005 15

L4W

R U

K

Learn4Work spends 91% of the budget on project activities that directly contribute to more people entering the job market skilled and prepared.

• Exchanges of students, businesses, teachers

• Setting up international partnerships and networks

• Improvements of quality and access to technical and vocational training

• Programme management Edukans

• Linking, learning and studies

• Project coordination, monitoring and evaluation

• Institutional capacity support to technical and vocational schools and training providers

€1.022.802

€1.475.439

€397.702

€102,449

€301,8

53

€276.372

€1.063.854

How did Learn4Work use the programme budget from 2008-2012?