YOUTH ON THE JOB TRAINING

The Bureau of Vocational Education within the Ministry of Labor, Youth, and Sports (MLYS) will implement the project. USAID will finance the services of a long-term vocational apprenticeship specialist and short-term consultants in the areas of management, curriculum planning, and trainee guidance. The YOJ program"s staff will be increased to include two administrators, five training supervisors, and five support staff. Their skills in program management will be upgraded through non-academic, short-term study tours in other countries. The William Tubman Technical College together with the Booker T. Washington Vocational Secondary School will furnish replacement leadership and technical supervisory personnel during the course of the project. Over 30 employers will accept youths for training and will provide them with monthly stipends. An additional 250 organizations will also consider participation in the program. Training materials will be developed for recruitment, pre-aptitude testing, orientation, vocation-specific instructional modules, job performance rating, and achievement testing. Before entering the training program, the youths will undergo aptitude testing and orientation, and will be counselled in preparing for vocation-specific skill training. Training will be offered in the mechanical, electrical, carpentry, and construction trades. During training, the youths will be systematically supervised by project staff. Upon successfully completing the program, the youths will be certified by MLYS to perform semi-skilled work in his/her specific trade. The trainees will also be assisted in finding a job and will be provided with follow-up after obtaining work. As many as 500 trainees will be recruited, trained, and placed each year. A record system will be established to facilitate supervision of the youths during the training period and follow-up after completion of the program.