Supporting Youth Entrepreneurship and Employability in the IT Sector

Unemployment and a lack of opportunities are the harsh reality for young people in El Salvador. Unemployment rates for Salvadorian youth are as high as 46%. This percentage is likely even higher for underprivileged youth.This is a major factor that contributes to migration, informal labor, and recruitment of youth into gangs and human trafficking.

The growing IT and services sectors in El Salvador, and the increasing demand for relatively easy to acquire IT skills, provide an opportunity for vulnerable youth. At the same time, barriers to accessing quality education prevent youth from gaining practical IT and life skills limiting their chances to be hired. CONEXION is a leading local organization for training and job placement in the IT sector. CONEXION provides  youth with a wide range of vocational and soft skills, accompanies them through the placement process, and connects them to jobs in the IT sector. 

The Puma Energy Foundation is partnering with CONEXION on a project that aims to train 240 underprivileged youth, half of which will be young women.

The project includes accelerated training programmes, so-called ‘bootcamps’, in digital technology and innovation to develop skills in areas such as programming, digital marketing, web design, data science, cloud computing, and big data, among others.

These bootcamps will allow participants to acquire all the technical knowledge and practical experience necessary to start working in the IT sector, without the need for prior knowledge in technology. The bootcamps will be complemented with soft skill trainings for the business world, internship placements, and tailored support for entrepreneurial projects. 

CONEXION’s comprehensive programmes are an important stepping stone on the journey of its young participants to meaningful employment. By enhancing the employability of vulnerable youth and supporting youth entrepreneurship, the programme also contributes to safer and more productive communities in El Salvador.

Visit website
Photo credit: CONEXION