Bridges to Employment Project

The project's main objective is to increase stakeholder engagement to improve the enabling environment for workforce development and employment. One of the key highlights of the project in May 2018 was the signing of a $3 million grant with the Fundación de la Industria del Plástico (FUNDEPLAST) to train vulnerable youth in plastics-related skills. The grant will fund specialized training, life skills training, and equipment for youth to practice producing and testing plastic products. This initiative is expected to equip 2,300 vulnerable youth with highly-demanded skills, facilitating the employment of 1,150 trained youth in jobs with plastics companies. The project also received a visit from USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Barbara Feinstein, who toured the Fundación Gloria de Kriete's (FGK) Software Development Center (SDC) to learn about the project's efforts to align training curricula with the needs of the private sector. FGK, along with other grantees, utilizes its alliances with Cámara Salvadoreña de Tecnologías de Información (CasaTIC) to facilitate job placement in CasaTIC member companies for youth who have completed the required technical, life skills, and on-the-job training. The project is also working to improve the employment of youth with disabilities. Through its participation in the Stakeholder Advisory Group, Puentes is collaborating with a range of stakeholders to improve the effectiveness of El Salvador's workforce development system. In a meeting on May 4th, representatives from various organizations discussed challenges and opportunities in the accreditation and work certification process for youth with disabilities. The group identified key challenges, including limited competencies, life skills, and technical training of youth with disabilities, lack of access to clear information about the certification process, and logistical barriers. The project is also facilitating the employment of people with disabilities. The Office Gurus, an outsourcing company, met with Puentes on May 21st to discuss the company's interest in assisting employees with disabilities in completing the certification process. Puentes is also supporting the Instituto Nacional de la Juventud (INJUVE) in the implementation of a new policy to assist youth with disabilities. In addition, the project is improving private sector policies and practices to facilitate inclusive work environments for vulnerable youth and other marginalized groups. Puentes participated in an event hosted by Banco Agrícola and Innovation Box (Innbox), where panelists shared their experiences implementing innovative business policies and practices that promote human rights and sustainability. Puentes staff also met with Marriott's General Manager and Human Resources Manager to share information about the Índice de Inclusión y Equidad Empresarial, a self-assessment tool developed by Whitefox Consulting to evaluate a business's policies and practices to determine if it supports the needs and inclusion of vulnerable groups.