The YEP programme was first introduced in Baidoa in 2013 and aimed at meeting the learning needs of war and conflict-affected youth who due to displacement and lack of opportunities have had little or no schooling. Adolescents and youth in Somalia have, to a large extent, grown up in unstable circumstances. Some of them have lost family members, homes and have found themselves without any source of income.
YEP is a one-year programme and constitutes a stepping-stone to a better life. The training involves two months apprenticeship where elements of literacy, numeracy and life skills courses are incorporated.
Selection process puts an emphasis on vulnerability, with priority given to young single mothers, youth heads of households and those with the poorest educational background.
The purpose is to enable learners to become functionally literate, mastering basic and relevant literacy and numeracy, obtain knowledge and awareness that will further their development and awareness as individuals and as members of their societies, and acquire a skill that that is needed in their communities and that will increase their chances of finding apprenticeships or paid work.
In addition to providing the youth with vital skills for employment and income generation, the programme contributes to the country’s stabilisation process by reducing migration movements and enhancing peaceful co-existence.
NRC has established learning centres in Mogadishu and Baidoa, and has further expanded its vocational training outreach to Dollow and Kismayu targeting 620 young people. 250 youth have already graduated since 2014 and are either employed or have started their own businesses.
In Baidoa, the programme has received funding from Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), and initiated labour market surveys conducted to determine employment potential for skilled youths. Informed by the findings of the survey, 4 skills training areas have been identified; tailoring, carpentry, plumbing and beauty therapy. Further market analysis will be undertaken in the coming months to help planning the upcoming trainings.
During the ceremony, the graduates received certificates and business start-up kits to support them in building capital and businesses within their communities. Members of the local business community promised to support the YEP initiative by providing employment opportunities to the new graduates.
An inspiring story was shared by Fariya whose daughter was among the graduating learners: “My daughter is now the manager of a beauty shop in Hargeisa, Somaliland and provides food for the whole family”, she said.
