IYF and INCAF Join Forces to Boost Youth Employment in El Salvador
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San Salvador, El Salvador – The International Youth Foundation (IYF) is doubling down on its commitment to El Salvador’s future with the second phase of the Jóvenes con Entrega program. Building on the resounding success of the first phase, which helped 58% of participants secure employment, the initiative is now expanding to benefit an additional 160 young people, equipping them with the tools they need to build a prosperous future.
Launched in Mexico in 2018, the Jóvenes con Entrega program has been a highly successful public-private partnership, developed in close collaboration with educational institutions in Mexico and civil society organizations like Asociación Ágape in El Salvador. Through these partnerships, more than 30,000 vulnerable youth across Latin America and the Caribbean have gained technical skills in logistics and developed crucial socio-emotional competencies, significantly improving their employment prospects and strengthening local economies.
Results That Drive Growth
The success of the program’s first phase was pivotal in launching this new stage. Of the 150 young people trained in the previous phase, 82% completed their training, and 58% secured employment. These achievements exceeded initial expectations and underscored the program’s effectiveness in promoting youth employability in key sectors like logistics. Additionally, female participation increased to 55%, highlighting IYF’s commitment to gender equity in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Currently implemented in collaboration with Ágape and the National Institute for Training and Development (INCAF, formerly INSAFORP), the program stands out for its innovative approach to training. Participants, aged 18 to 35, will receive comprehensive training based on a specialized curriculum that combines the use of simulators and prototypes for logistics topics, complemented by the development of socio-emotional skills through IYF’s proven Passport to Success methodology.
Government and Corporate Commitment
This pilot phase, taking place in Sonsonate through November 30, 2024, is supported by an initial investment of $190,000 USD. The Salvadoran government, through INCAF, has played a crucial role in the program’s expansion and sustainability. Moreover, companies in the logistics and other productive sectors have expressed interest in collaborating with the program, facilitating young people’s entry into the labor market.
The ongoing success of the Jóvenes con Entrega program would not have been possible without the help of FedEx. Since the beginning of the sponsorship in 2018, FedEx has been a key partner in the program’s implementation and expansion throughout the region. This support has enabled Jóvenes con Entrega to continue growing and adapting to the needs of the logistics sector, providing young people with access to job opportunities that enhance their socio-economic mobility. IYF’s long-standing relationship with FedEx has been instrumental in securing government backing for this new phase in El Salvador, through INCAF.
"INCAF’s commitment to sustaining Jóvenes con Entrega marks a vital step toward building a more accessible future for young people entering the workforce in El Salvador. Their support ensures that this program will continue to grow and create real employment opportunities for youth in key sectors. This alliance is a clear example of how, by working together, we can drive lasting change that strengthens the skills and potential of Salvadoran youth,” concluded Juan Carlos Hernández, IYF Country Director in Colombia.
To learn more about how your organization can partner with IYF to empower young people in El Salvador, please contact Juan Carlos Hernandez, Country Director in Colombia.
For media inquiries, please contact Jania Argüelles, IYF Communications Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean.
About IYF
The International Youth Foundation® (IYF®) stands by, for, and with young people. Founded in 1990 through a generous grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, IYF is a global nonprofit with programs directly benefiting 8.1 million young people and operations spanning over 105 countries. Together with local community-based organizations and a network of corporate, foundation, and multilateral partners, we connect young people with opportunities to transform their lives. We believe that educated, employed, engaged young people possess the power to solve the world’s toughest problems, and we focus our youth development efforts on three linked objectives: unlocking agency, driving economic opportunity, and making systems more inclusive. Our vision is to see young people inspired and equipped to realize the future they want. The International Youth Foundation: Transforming Lives, Together. To learn more about the International Youth Foundation, please join us at iyfglobal.org/country/el-salvador