USAID Skills for Youth Project

Program Description

The Skills for Youth Project (SYP) engages Pakistani youth living in the critical stabilization areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with certified ICT skills and links to employment opportunities.

The project is a $3 million pilot project funded by USAID with a 1:1 resource match from Cisco. World Learning implements the project in partnership with Cisco and the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (GoKP), by establishing and strengthening Cisco certified training programs in 40 public and private higher, vocational, and technical education institutions. These programs will train 3,250 graduates in the ICT and employability skills demanded by national and international industries. SYP also works with employers to place a targeted 30 percent of Cisco Certified Network Associate training graduates in employment or internship opportunities. The project’s activities will contribute to improved long-term stability, economic growth, and social development in the targeted communities in KP and FATA.

SYP includes four mutually reinforcing components: 1) creating a Cisco Instructor Training Center or Academy Support Center at a public institution; 2) increasing access to ICT training for youth in KP and FATA; 3) providing student training to obtain the relevant ICT skills demanded by employers; and 4) developing employment linkages for trained youth. Key activities being carried out under these components are designed to contribute to the achievement of the overall goal of improving employment opportunities in the critical stabilization areas of KP and FATA.