Catholic Relief Services’ YouthBuild (JóvenesConstructores): Co-Assessment for Soft Skills
Maureen Herman
Organization: Catholic Relief Services (CRS), RTI International IDIQ partner

Catholic Relief Services’ Youth Build (Jovenes Constructores) program utilizes a unique tool for assessing soft skills acquisition with participants. Our co-evaluation is an assessment tool that is used by the youth participating in the program and filled out with a facilitator. The aim is to promote self-appraisal regarding certain competencies that are required to graduate from the program. It measures 25 basic competencies, such as attendance, punctuality, communication, conflict resolution, teamwork, quality of work, and appropriate attire among others, which are required to keep a job or successfully achieve the targets outlined in the individual’s development plan, whether they relate to employment, education, or personal growth. As these competencies are subtle and hard to quantify, the young person is requested to self-assess on a scale, enabling the facilitating team to carry out activities focused on reinforcing specific competencies. Learn what happens the second time the youth complete the assessment. We will also share a highly successful technique we use to help make youth more self-aware and advance their soft skills.