Setting the stage
The Shaqo Platform On-the-Job Training Program, implemented by the Iftiin Foundation, directly addresses the challenges faced by NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) youth in Somalia. This vulnerable population is at high risk of poverty, social isolation, and harmful coping mechanisms. The program focuses on providing practical, workplace-based training to equip these young people, particularly at-risk young men, with market-relevant skills.
“Giving these young people real-world experience in a supportive environment is the key to unlocking their potential and building a brighter future.“
Unpacking the issues
The program tackles several critical issues facing NEET youth in Somalia:
- Exclusion from Opportunity: NEET youth are excluded from both educational and economic opportunities, increasing their vulnerability.
- High-Risk Behaviors: This exclusion makes them more susceptible to poverty, social isolation, and harmful coping mechanisms like involvement in conflict, crime, and illegal migration.
- Vulnerability of Young Men: Young men are particularly at risk of these adverse pathways.
- Marginalization: Youth from minority ethnic and clan backgrounds face additional barriers to employment due to historical exclusion.
- Age factor Youth between the ages of 15-25, a crucial period of intervention.
The Transformation
The Shaqo Platform On-the-Job Training Program, implemented by Iftiin, provides a targeted solution:
- Practical, Workplace-Based Training: The program offers hands-on training in real work environments, providing participants with market-relevant skills.
- Two Cohorts: The program has been implemented across two cohorts:
- Cohort 1 (2022-2023): 154 youth
- Cohort 2 (2023-2024): 222 youth
- Targeted Locations: Participants were selected from Mogadishu (285 youth) and Baidoa (91 youth).
- NEET Focus: All participants were classified as NEET, ensuring the program reached those most in need.
- Age Range: Participants were between 15 and 25 years old, a critical period for intervention.
- Focus on At-Risk Young Men: 79% (297 participants) were young men, addressing their heightened vulnerability.
- Inclusivity: 39% (147 participants) came from marginalized minority ethnic and clan backgrounds.
- Complementary Program for Women: addressing the needs of young women
Measuring Impact
Understanding the critical role of local enterprises in community development, Iftiin Foundation designed a targeted intervention to provide the necessary resources for these businesses to thrive. By offering in-kind grants tailored to each business’s specific needs, the foundation aimed to:
- Skill Acquisition: Participants gain valuable, market-relevant skills through on-the-job training.
- Workforce Transition: The program facilitates the transition of NEET youth into stable employment.
- Risk Mitigation: By providing skills and opportunities, the program mitigates the risks associated with NEET status.
- Inclusion: The program promotes inclusivity in the workplace by supporting youth from marginalized backgrounds.
- Targeted Support: The focus on at-risk young men addresses their specific vulnerabilities.
- Scalability: The two-cohort structure demonstrates the program’s potential for scalability and continued impact
The Big Lesson
The Shaqo Platform On-the-Job Training Program, implemented by Iftiin Foundation, demonstrates the effectiveness of practical, workplace-based training in empowering NEET youth and addressing their unique challenges. By providing market-relevant skills, promoting inclusivity, and focusing on at-risk populations, the program offers a pathway to stable employment and a more secure future. This case highlights the importance of targeted interventions that address the specific needs of vulnerable youth and provide them with the tools they need to thrive. The program’s success underscores the value of on-the-job training as a powerful strategy for bridging the gap between education and employment and building a more inclusive and resilient workforce.