Technical Vocational Education and Training Strengthening for At-Risk Youth (TVET SAY) Proyecto Aprendo y Emprendo FY 2019 Quarter 2 Report

The project, which began in 2015 and is set to conclude in 2019, has four components: improving collaboration and information-sharing among centers, building the capacity of selected technical vocational education and training centers, increasing interest and improving perception of TVET programs, and improving economic status for at-risk youth. Despite the socio-political crisis affecting the country, the TVET SAY team made progress toward the project goals by working closely with its partner TVET centers and Caribbean universities to prevent delays in academic programs. The team focused on retention rates and internships for long-term technical courses, and provided individualized counseling and psycho-social support to scholarship recipients. However, the project's recent graduates will face a difficult job market due to the economic contraction caused by the crisis, with a predicted unemployment rate of 27.6% in 2019. Component 1: TVET Network Development, focused on providing technical assistance and capacity training to RENET's board of directors and its 57 members. A session called "Safe Spaces for Children and Youth" was held for 30 participants from 11 RENET organizations, and RENET successfully organized the first Technical and Vocational Education fair with over 400 attendees. The Board of Directors also made progress on their communication strategy and webpage design. Component 2: Capacity Building of Private TVET Centers, focused on completing work started in prior quarters. Key accomplishments included completing a second organizational capacity assessment with the Centro de Educación Técnica Ambiental y Agroforestal (CETAA) Wawashang, which showed an improvement of 11.4% compared to the 2017 score. TVET SAY also implemented the at-risk youth soft skills teaching manual with TVETs, and provided online training using the 'Capacitate para el Empleo' training platform. The project has established partnerships with various organizations, including Grupo Casa Pellas and KIPESA, to provide training and equipment to TVET centers. A new private sector alliance was established with the local company 'Inversiones y Desarrollo Comercial', which will provide training and employment opportunities for at-risk youth. The project's efforts aim to improve the economic status of at-risk youth and provide them with the skills and knowledge needed to secure employment in the labor market. The TVET SAY project has also promoted access to technical education, soft skills, and entrepreneurship opportunities through its design and implementation of events, such as the Technical and Vocational Education fair, which reached over 200 participants. The project's activities have been organized in a private setting due to the ongoing country context, and the team has worked closely with its partner TVET centers and Caribbean universities to prevent delays in academic programs. The project's progress has been made possible through the support of USAID/Nicaragua and the collaboration of various organizations, including RENET, INDE, and Grupo Casa Pellas. The TVET SAY project aims to improve the livelihoods of at-risk youth in the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua and provide them with the skills and knowledge needed to secure employment in the labor market.