We are looking to build a digital platform that will scale our school-to-work transition work by enabling up to 50,000 University students access to work-readiness training, access mentors and work opportunities. The severe mismatch between the skills of young graduates entering the job market and the skills that employers need for today's global workforce means that thousands who complete University face an uncertain future. They cannot create opportunities for themselves and for others.
An estimated 83% of the total unemployed in Uganda are youth and more than 70% of over 40,000 fresh graduates are unable to secure a job because they are unemployable. (World Bank) Across Africa, millions of youth graduate from universities and tertiary institutions without adequate skills and preparedness for work. This inability to manage the school-to-work transition is forcing many into entrepreneurship and self-employment in the informal sector - which they are also ill-prepared for.
We seek to increase collaboration between Industry and Institutions of learning by offering students with relevant work-readiness through simulations and training that focuses on 21st century work skills; mentor matching for career guidance support that will bridge knowledge, skills and opportunity gaps; and volunteer service, internships and entry-level job opportunities that will ease the school-to-work transition.
The platform will impact the work fortunes of 50,000 young people in Uganda and East Africa, by 2024, providing them access to resources, mentors and tailored work opportunities. We also hope to offer insights to Universities on curriculum development through regular surveys with alumni and employers. This will enable us to influence education policy for employability and entrepreneurship.
