Understanding the Impact of Employment, Entrepreneurship and Training Programs on Youth in Jordan and Rwanda

This report highlights how service providers can be more effective in delivering market-led programs to young people. While the youth population in developing countries continues to grow rapidly, economic opportunities in terms of access to education, employment or entrepreneurship have not kept pace. The study intends to fill a research gap by compiling information and insights about employment, enterprise and training programs from the perspective of the youth alumni. It draws from fieldwork conducted in Jordan and Rwanda. Findings include:

• All youth interviewed want to work;
• Joblessness, low pay and poor training were the main issues youth confronted;
• Youth wanted training programs to offer experience-based livelihood trainings;
• Difficulties in accessing finance and good business training were constraints to self-employment;
• Youth demanded market-led technical training that contributed to their professional development;
• Self-employment emerged as an important career option for many.

The study found that youth are savvy buyers and are aware that donor funding is intended to improve their lives. Key lessons that emerged from the study are:

• Link youth training to markets and jobs;
• Provide qualified trainers with business experience;
• Improve programs.