To boost youth employment opportunities in El Salvador, USAID Bridges to Employment offers training to youth from 15 of the country’s highest-crime municipalities to give them the skills they need to enter the high-growth information technology (IT) sector. On June 6, 2019, 56 youth received diplomas, as well as industry certifications from the Cámara Salvadoreña de Tecnologías de Información (CasaTIC), for their completion of computer programming and software development training through project grantee Universidad de Oriente (UNIVO).

These youth are the first from UNIVO to complete three levels of industry-recognized trainings using curricula designed through collaboration between USAID Bridges to Employment and CasaTIC to meet the current and future needs of IT companies. Through the project’s holistic approach, the youth not only received technical training in one of four specializations – Software Tester, Web Applications Developer (MVC), Mobile Applications Developer (C# XAMARIN), and Web Designer – but also gained valuable hands-on experience through internships and built critical life skills, such as innovation, teamwork, and communication.

At the graduation ceremony, one student shared how the training changed his life for the better, thanking USAID, UNIVO, and his instructors for helping open doors to exciting job opportunities in El Salvador. He stressed the importance of the life skills training he and his classmates received, noting that the competencies and the confidence they developed will be key factors in their future success.

Through this work, USAID Bridges to Employment is helping vulnerable youth get their start in a high-growth sector that often offers higher than average wages, and in many cases, allows them to work remotely and avoid security related challenges. With these promising opportunities, vulnerable youth are provided positive alternatives to migration, and a chance to build a future in their home country.

Contact: Caterina Valero, cvalero@puentesempleo.com