Uzbekistan Youth Employment Skills (YES) Activity

The program focuses on developing an improved high school curriculum and updated teaching and learning materials on Foundations of Economics, Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship, and Work-Readiness Basics. The YES Activity is implemented in partnership with the Republican Center for Education (REC) under the Uzbekistan Ministry of Pre-school and School Education. REC is responsible for the development of state educational standards and programs, as well as the introduction of innovative approaches and integration of modern technologies into the education system. The partnership between YES and REC ensures that the teaching and learning materials are appropriate for the local context, incorporating local expertise in curriculum development. The YES team, in collaboration with REC specialists, regularly meets to review and develop a new economics and entrepreneurship curriculum. The new curriculum includes student-centered approaches, experiential learning, and practical application of theoretical knowledge. The curriculum is designed to prepare youth for future employment and equip them with the necessary skills to become competent employees or entrepreneurs. The YES Activity has made significant progress in developing the new curriculum, with a draft curriculum already available. The curriculum is being reviewed and refined by the YES team and REC specialists to ensure that it meets the demands of students, teachers, and future employers. The implementation of the new curriculum is expected to improve the quality of education in Uzbekistan and prepare youth for the labor market. The YES Activity has also established partnerships with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Pre-school and School Education, the Public Council, and private sector representatives. These partnerships aim to promote the YES Activity and secure involvement from businesses, as well as provide opportunities for networking and collaboration. In addition to curriculum development, the YES Activity has also focused on promoting entrepreneurship and economic skills among youth. The program has organized various events and meetings, including the YES Fergana Kick-Off Event, the VET4UZ project launch, and the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2022. These events aimed to introduce the YES Activity to private sector representatives, youth, and other stakeholders, and promote entrepreneurship and economic skills among youth. Overall, the Uzbekistan Youth Employment Skills (YES) Activity is a significant initiative aimed at improving the quality of education in Uzbekistan and preparing youth for the labor market. The program's focus on developing a new economics and entrepreneurship curriculum, as well as promoting entrepreneurship and economic skills among youth, is expected to have a positive impact on the country's economic development and youth employment.