EquipYouth
Building capacity in vocational institutions.
Program Description
Through a long-term partnership with the Caterpillar Foundation, the EquipYouth program strengthens vocational and training systems by co-creating modern, technical curricula, equipping teachers with updated tools and methodologies, and integrating life skills training.
EquipYouth’s approach has been adapted since its inception in 2007, but its core focus remains the same: connecting youth to real job opportunities through high-quality technical training and employment pathways. Currently, EquipYouth works in three settings:
- In Brazil, EquipYouth is modernizing logistics and mining curricula to better reflect emerging technologies and industry practices while embedding life skills.
- In Mexico, EquipYouth is refreshing manufacturing and data science training to include modern tools such as AI.
- In Peru, EquipYouth is expanding training pathways and doing outreach to boost awareness of in-demand careers in logistics.
Program Partner
Change in Action
Since launching EquipYouth, the Caterpillar Foundation has partnered with IYF to connect young people to opportunity while helping employers build stronger talent pipelines. Together, the partnership has:
- Reached more than 80,000 young people
- Operated across 16 countries and five continents
- Engaged approximately 150 workforce and training organizations
- Achieved strong employment outcomes and high employer satisfaction
“IYF has a long-standing commitment to innovative approaches to close the skills gap. The Caterpillar Foundation is proud to have partnered with IYF since 2007 in several countries to connect young people with opportunities to transform their lives.”
Asha Varghese, President of the Caterpillar Foundation
Geography
Brazil
Mexico
Peru