June 2019 Monthly Report: Bridges to Employment Project

The project is funded by USAID and implemented by DAI. In June 2019, the project conducted various activities to achieve its objectives. One of the notable activities was the graduation of 56 youth from an information technology training program. The youth received diplomas and industry certifications from the Cámara Salvadoreña de Tecnologías de Información (CasaTIC) for their completion of computer programming and software development training through project grantee Universidad de Oriente (UNIVO). The training was designed to meet the current and future needs of IT companies, and the youth gained valuable hands-on experience through internships and built critical life skills. The project also promoted corporate social responsibility and sustainability through the launch of the seventh annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability week, supported by USAID. The event, scheduled for July 8-12, aims to bring together over 2,000 people from various institutions to share trends and best practices related to CSR and sustainability. The event will feature international speakers and will focus on pressing issues and best practices related to the circular economy, innovation, inclusive hiring, and leadership. In addition, the project developed tools to facilitate youth employment through the revamp of ALEMPLEO, a labor intermediation service for youth supported by USAID. The updated platform, created in alliance between USAID Bridges to Employment, FUNDEMAS, and Asociación La Escalón, will facilitate the articulation of job supply and demand between even more partners. The platform is expected to reach at least 100 businesses and cover vulnerable youth in other municipalities. The project also engaged key stakeholders for youth employment in commerce, tourism, and information technology. On June 26, over 100 representatives from micro, small, and medium enterprises in Usulután and San Miguel participated in an event where USAID Bridges to Employment, alongside project grantees Universidad de Oriente (UNIVO) and Fe y Alegría (FyA), presented opportunities for collaboration with the private sector, such as placing vulnerable youth in internships and/or employment. The project's efforts aim to ensure the sustainability of project gains and increase the reach of successful initiatives like ALEMPLEO. By encouraging partners to develop and improve tools that strengthen joint endeavors that facilitate youth employment, the project will have an impact on the lives of vulnerable youth far into the future. The geographic focus of the project is El Salvador, with a specific emphasis on the East of the country, an area with high migration rates. The project's implementation details include the training of vulnerable youth in information technology, the promotion of corporate social responsibility and sustainability, and the development of tools to facilitate youth employment. The project's timeframes are not explicitly stated, but the report covers the month of June 2019. The recommendations for the project are not explicitly stated, but the project's efforts aim to ensure the sustainability of project gains and increase the reach of successful initiatives like ALEMPLEO.