What We Do > Program Area
Youth Workforce and Entrepreneurship
Societies and economies are stronger when each person contributes to individual and community prosperity. Yet 25 percent of global youth aged 15-29 are not in education, employment, or training. And, in many places, adults are out of work simply because their skills do not match the available opportunities. Educational systems are failing them.
Youth workforce development and entrepreneurship programs build a more promising future by training youth and adults in the skills essential to the 21st century workplace, encouraging them to respond constructively to community needs and opportunities, and ultimately helping them find or create decent work. World Learning realizes that vision through our proven expertise in six core programmatic areas: career center development through our signature WorkLinks approach, STEM education, industry and professional study tours, training in hard and soft skills, civic engagement and social enterprise, and English for the workplace. As people pursue that path into the workforce, we all prosper.
Learn More about WorkLinks and the Bawsala Career Mentorship Program
WorkLinks Skills and Values Assessment (WLSVA)
World Learning offers a validated assessment tool, the WorkLinks Skills and Values Assessment (WLSVA), to measure individual- and group-level change over time among youth and young adults in soft skills, earning skills, and certain civic values. To access this tool and use it with your own programs, please visit the WorkLinks Skills and Values Assessment(WLSVA) page.
Program Research and Reports
Read on to see how we incorporate the five signature elements of World Learning’s approach to change into our Youth Workforce and Entrepreneurship programming.
OUR APPROACH
Experiential Learning: For over 90 years, World Learning has encouraged people to learn by doing—and then reflecting on their actions. We draw on our background in experiential learning to promote active engagement, self-reflection, and respectful collaboration—all essential workplace skills.
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Leadership Development: Workforce development and entrepreneurship programs depend on strong leaders—not just among implementers but participants as well. Our programs encourage young people to lead community projects and create their own opportunities.
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Innovation: Creative solutions and cutting-edge technology are essential to success in the modern workforce. With the support of our private sector partners like Boeing and Cisco, our youth workforce and entrepreneurship programs train people in the technical and STEM skills prized in today’s economy.
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Grants Management: World Learning leads in the use of grantmaking as a development tool. We administer small grants to local institutions—such as career centers—and support them as they use those funds to grow stronger. Ultimately, these institutions improve workforce outcomes well into the future.
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