Learning

In youth workforce development (YWFD), we’ve revised and added to our standard foreign assistance indicators. These indicators re-focus our sector on a range of possible outcomes that reflect meaningful results of our work with youth.

The challenge of youth unemployment in low and middle-income countries is well-known. This topic was front and center at the Global Youth Economic Opportunities Summit supported in part by USAID and held in Washington D.C. from October 1-4.

USAID’s first Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Policy is a call to action that outlines a new vision of collaboration with a wide spectrum of private sector actors. 

Until recently, Vietnam had an agricultural-based economy, with a higher education system catering to a small percentage of the population. Engineering soon emerged as a field which could play a key role in supporting further growth and development. 

Workers with higher education and in-demand technical skills are more likely to thrive and contribute to their country’s journey to self-reliance and resilience. But economic growth doesn’t always go hand in hand with a skilled workforce.

In Morocco, it’s often the more educated people that are most likely to be un- or under-employed. In fact, the unemployment rate among those with degrees is 17.1%. 

Youth workforce development is many things to many actors. Understanding how to program for it begins with knowing what it is.

Government and development actors are increasingly understanding the value of higher education investments. Higher education plays a unique and catalytic role in developing individuals and societies. And yet, myths about how USAID defines higher education, as well as its benefits, access, and financial strain abound.