Latin America: Creando Tu Futuro (Creating Your Future)

Despite the large youth population, developing countries have failed to absorb the youth into their education systems and labor markets, thereby not fully benefiting from this “youth dividend.” In Latin America and the Caribbean, young people account for roughly 50% of all unemployed workers in nearly every country in the region. Sustained unemployment reinforces inter­-generational transmission of poverty, promotes anti­-social and high­-risk behavior, and restricts the ability of a community and economy to grow and realizes it’s social and economic development goals. It is essential to promote youth employment by encouraging programs that provide youth with soft and hard working skills that will help them get better jobs and continue their education and professional growth at a higher level.

The Creating Your Future / Creando Tu Futuro – Workplace Skills Program is an innovative job skills training program aimed at building a strong foundation of technical and life skills knowledge for low income youth in Latin America. Implemented in Argentina, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Peru and Mexico the program developed and delivered a blended platform of online learning modules and classroom instruction to more than 24,000 low­-income youth with the goal of preparing graduates for secure, financially sustainable jobs in the organized sector. The program provided beneficiaries with instruction through four unique modules: math and literacy skill; workplace communication; technical and technology skills; and a blend of personal financial management and job search skills. The central goal of the program was to maximize the employability of participants by empowering them with the fundamental technical and personal skills necessary to effectively pursue and secure full employment, and achieve sustainable personal and professional success in their future careers.

Youth complete a core curriculum made up of 4 modules to receive CTF certification, including, 1) Building a Life Plan; 2) Discovering Opportunities and developing vocational skills; 3) Reinforcing the Basics of math, literacy and professional communications; and 4) Innovation and Finances with a focus on personal and professional financial management. Throughout the program, and across all modules an emphasis is placed on improving soft skills like self-motivation, time management, through practical exercises that help youth be more organized, motivated, and self-reliant. In addition to the core curriculum CTF participants may opt into a technical skills track which include additional training hours to receive a micro-credential in the following areas: database analysis, customer service, sustainable tourism and hospitality, and Information Technology.

CTF offers job placement support to help youth secure employment upon completion of the program. CTF maintains country-level and regional partnerships with employers and job placement agencies that offer a pipeline to direct opportunities for graduates. Along with these partners CTF hosts job fairs in each country and facilitates ad hoc virtual networking sessions and events available to any CTF graduate. Graduates also gain access to new online tools and activities to support their job search and placement.

Visit creandotufuturo.com to learn more about the program, curriculum, and learning modules.

Jessica Yarrow Country Director, Latin America

GFI’s Latin America Country Director, Jessica Yarrow, has been in Guatemala since 1997 working for human rights organizations supporting local initiatives to improve labor rights, access to justice, economic development and to end human trafficking. She also has experience interpreting and translating for visiting funders and academic groups. With GFI Jessica will provide insight and manage our current projects in Latin America. She holds a master’s degree in International and Intercultural Management from the School for International Training and a B.A. in Spanish/Latin American Studies from American University in Washington, DC.