Give Argentine Youth a Chance

What concerns us?

In Argentina, the youth unemployment rate is approximately three times higher than the national average, and this age group also experiences the highest rates of informal employment. Additionally, it is estimated that one in four young people aged 18 to 24 neither study nor work—commonly referred to as a "double exclusion." This issue is even more pronounced in vulnerable communities, where it affects nearly half of this population.

Our Proposal

The Graduate Network of Fundación Cimientos was created to support young people from vulnerable socioeconomic contexts in their transition beyond secondary school, helping them continue studying, access quality employment, and build informed and meaningful life and career pathways.

The program operates as a bridge between secondary education and post-secondary opportunities, working in close articulation with the Futuros Egresados Program (PFE). Its approach combines vocational guidance, employability training, exposure to professional environments, and scholarship and educational support.

Through a set of structured interventions, the program seeks to strengthen young people’s capacities, broaden their horizons, and provide concrete tools to navigate both educational and labor market transitions.

Our intervention model: preparing for work and study transitions

During 2026, the Graduate Network, in coordination with other Cimientos programs and partner organizations, implemented a series of structured experiences designed to support young people in the development of their occupational and professional projects.

These activities combine in-person and virtual formats and focus on strengthening motivation, providing exposure to the world of work, and building practical employability skills. Key areas of work include:

• Work culture and motivation
• Job readiness and employability skills
• Exposure to professional pathways and role models
• Transition to higher education
• Interaction with professionals from different sectors

These spaces are particularly relevant for young people, as they provide direct contact with the world beyond school and support them in imagining and designing future trajectories.

A key element of the strategy is the active involvement of partner organizations and volunteers, who contribute through meaningful exchanges with students, offering real-world perspectives, guidance, and inspiration.

Key activities in 2026

1. Professional Panels

Professional Panels provide students with the opportunity to engage directly with professionals from diverse fields and career paths. Volunteers share their academic, professional, and personal trajectories, including challenges, motivations, and key decisions.

These exchanges aim to provide students with concrete information about different careers, including academic requirements, labor market opportunities, study environments, and personal reflections on professional life.

Topics commonly addressed include:

• career choice and motivations
• labor market opportunities
• study pathways and institutions
• required competencies
• challenges and learnings from professional practice

2. Mock Job Interviews

This activity simulates real recruitment interviews conducted by volunteers, many of whom have experience in human resources or talent selection.

For many participants, this represents their first exposure to a formal interview setting. The objective is to strengthen confidence, communication skills, and familiarity with recruitment processes, helping young people better prepare for future employment opportunities.

3. Employability Workshops

These workshops focus on developing practical tools for labor market insertion, including:

• CV building
• LinkedIn profile development
• job search strategies and channels
• interview preparation
• soft skills development (communication, teamwork, creativity, adaptability)

The workshops aim to provide concrete and applicable tools that strengthen young people’s employability and autonomy in job search processes.

Looking ahead

As we move forward in 2026, the Graduate Network will continue strengthening its role as a bridge between secondary education and post-school pathways.

Key priorities include:

• expanding access to employability and orientation activities across regions
• strengthening articulation with Futuros Egresados to ensure continuity of support
• deepening partnerships with companies and volunteers to enhance experiential learning opportunities
• consolidating hybrid delivery formats to increase scalability and access
• reinforcing tools that support informed decision-making for education and employment transitions

The program remains committed to ensuring that young people in Argentina not only complete school, but are also better prepared to navigate the opportunities and challenges that follow.