Skills Builder Programme
Youth unemployment in Zambia and Zimbabwe hinders economic growth and limits opportunities for empowerment.
The Young Africa Skills Builder Program addresses this challenge by providing targeted vocational training, equipping vulnerable youth with the skills they need to be successful.
About the Programme
The Young Africa Skills Builder Program addresses youth unemployment in Zambia and Zimbabwe by focusing on practical, high-quality vocational training. In Zambia, the program is supporting the setting up of a model TVET center in Lusaka while delivering mobile vocational training to underserved communities. This approach ensures that young people gain essential technical and life skills to support their economic independence and make informed life choices.
In Zimbabwe, the program is enhancing the Young Africa Model Center in Chitungwiza by renovating and retooling workshops and classrooms to improve the quality of vocational education. It also seeks to expand the reach of training programs, ensuring more youth have access to technical and entrepreneurial skills. Furthermore, the program facilitates collaboration by building a network of private TVET providers to share resources and best practices, fostering a stronger vocational training ecosystem.
Objectives of the project
The Young Africa Skills Builder Program is designed with a focused and practical framework, addressing key challenges in youth unemployment through clear objectives. By enhancing access to vocational training and equipping young people with market-relevant skills, the program establishes a strong foundation for economic independence. These objectives create a pathway to better employment opportunities and sustainable development, fostering long-term resilience and growth in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Launch Lilayi Centre (Zam)
Begin training programs in 2025 in Metal Fabrication, Cosmetology, Food Production, Electrical Engineering, and Solar at the new state-of-the-art facility.
Equip 360 Vulnerable Youth (Zam)
Deliver vocational training annually, fostering employability, economic independence, and better life choices for at-risk youth.
80% Economically Active Graduates (Zam)
Ensure 80% of YA graduates are employed or self-sufficient within six months post-graduation, reporting increased income and independence.
Strengthen Impact Tracking (Zam)
Implement robust M&E systems to assess effectiveness, refine interventions, and guide data-driven decision-making.
Renovate Chitungwiza Centre in 2025 (Zim)
Upgrade four workshops and classrooms to provide quality, industry-relevant vocational training at the Young Africa Model Centre.
Expand YA TVET Reach (Zim)
Increase annual beneficiaries from 5,780 in 2023 to over 12,000 by 2026 through expanded facilities and innovative programmes.
Increase Economically Active Graduates (Zim)
Raise post-graduation employment or self-employment rates from 70% in 2023 to 80% by 2026, enhancing economic outcomes for YA graduates.
Strengthen TVET Collaboration (Zim)
Develop a private TVET provider network to share resources, foster innovation, and improve vocational education outcomes across Zimbabwe.
Our impact so far
Other projects
Youth Employability Booster
The Youth Employability Booster initiative tackles youth unemployment in Nigeria by delivering innovative vocational training and entrepreneurial support.
NigeriaSkills for Youth Resilience Programme (SYRP)
By promoting sustainable livelihoods in Mozambique and Zimbabwe, the initiative drives meaningful economic growth, social empowerment, and strengthened organizational capacity.
MozambiqueSustainable Youth Empowerment (SYE)
Never before was the need for Mozambique’s youth to be driving transformative change and foster sustainable development within their communities bigger than now.
Mozambique