Quarterly Report FY18 Q2: Djiboutian Workforce Development Project

The project's primary objective is to enhance the employability of youth and adults in the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector. The WFD is implemented by the Education Development Center (EDC) in collaboration with the Government of Djibouti and other local stakeholders. During the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2018 (January-March 2018), the WFD team focused on launching youth job seeker training in Djibouti-ville and the five regions. In each region, the Agence Nationale de l'Emploi, de la Formation et de l'Insertion Professionnelle (ANEFIP) trained two cohorts of 30 job seekers on adapted modules 0-4 of the Work Ready Now! (WRN!) Curriculum. The training sessions were conducted in collaboration with the Conseil Regional and the Institut National d'Administration Publique (INAP). The WFD team also continued to participate actively with the Ministry of Education and Professional Training (MENFOP) committee members charged with proposing the integration of elements of the WRN! and Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) curricula into the Bac Pro and technical Certificate programs. The committee made significant progress on integration during this quarter. In addition, the WFD facilitated a Gender Sensitization workshop for ANEFIP headquarters personnel on February 19-20, 2018. The workshop aimed to discuss the challenges faced by female job seekers in Djibouti, especially in technical sectors, and make recommendations for improving conditions. The WFD also hosted a Train the Trainers event for ANEFIP, CCD, and MENFOP trainers on modules 4-7 of the WRN! curriculum from March 18-27, 2018. The training was facilitated by Anne Marie Makarugambwa and Karla Hoover, and WFD local team members. The WFD team welcomed new technical team members in January 2018, including Osman Khalif, Abdourahman Omar, and Mohamed Ahmed. The team also welcomed local Cardno team members, including Hodan Abdi and Ifra, in March 2018. The WFD's activities during the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2018 focused on launching youth job seeker training, integrating the WRN! and BYOB curricula into the Bac Pro and technical Certificate programs, and facilitating a Gender Sensitization workshop. The project's efforts aim to improve the employability of youth and adults in the TVET sector and enhance the quality of vocational workforce readiness programs in Djibouti. The WFD's collaboration with local stakeholders, including ANEFIP, MENFOP, and the Government of Djibouti, is crucial to the project's success. The project's activities are aligned with the Government of Djibouti's National Labor Policy 2014-2024 and the USAID/Djibouti Cooperative Agreement AID-603-A-17-00001. The WFD's progress during the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2018 demonstrates the project's commitment to improving the quality of vocational workforce readiness programs in Djibouti. The project's efforts aim to enhance the employability of youth and adults in the TVET sector and contribute to the country's economic development.