Improving Education for Work, Learning and Success: Quarterly Report July 1st to September 30th, 2016

The project was funded by USAID/Honduras under the EQUIP3 agreement. During the third quarter of 2016, the project focused on training and certification in work readiness skills, strategic alliances and linkage with the labor market, and institutional strengthening. Training and certification programs were conducted for 6,133 young people, with 407 belonging to the young population of NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). The project aimed to influence young NEET to participate in training processes, which would improve their ability to obtain economic income. Academic strengthening journeys, vocational counseling, and motivational lectures were provided to young people who failed in diagnostic tests and achievement, resulting in a coverage of 2,850 young people who will undergo certification exams. The project also provided training in HEL (Human Emotional Learning) to 1,667 young people, both in schools and among NEET. A total of 2,821 young people completed their training process and underwent certification exams in CLB (Career and Life Balance). Additionally, 135 teacher trainers from schools where PCLB (Professional Career and Life Balance) has been implemented received training in psychological first aid, mentoring, motivation, gender, and social-emotional learning. The project made significant progress in the fulfillment of indicators, particularly in the 4th Result, where an analysis and evaluation of the Bridge Strategy methodology was conducted. This provided valuable information on the application of entry and exit surveys for the internship and employment process. However, the project faced challenges in the availability of young people to carry out internships and later secure jobs. The data base had been worn out, and time was a constraint for young people to start internships or jobs. Despite these challenges, the project continued to place young people in internships and jobs, with the majority coming from R3, Phase II. However, their insertion was made during the second quarter of the current year, almost 1 year later after they graduated from different schools. This was due to their economic condition, which did not allow them to afford higher education, leading them to search for jobs. The project also faced challenges in linking young NEET with partner companies, particularly with CESAL, which did not have a group of partner companies.