Cambronero, Sergio; Midling, Michael; Molina, Francisco, 2012, Mid-term Evaluation- USAID Improving Access to Employment Program in El Salvador

2.3 Direct actions in communities

2.3.6. Vocational education/skills training

RECOMMENDATIONS :

15) Include focus on building relations with private sector companies to ensure employment of younger less-educated workers post training.

16) In vocational training include focus on a wide range of skills including with the retail industry and other customer service areas.

17) Where resources allow, provide the basic equipment necessary to the trainees in the form of income generating ‘toolkits’ and provide support to access start-up capital.

18) Engage in local procurement of tools and materials for training in order to ensure greater project effectiveness in supporting the local economy.

Reference: Cambronero, Sergio; Midling, Michael; Molina, Francisco, 2012, Mid-term Evaluation- USAID Improving Access to Employment Program in El Salvador, Midterm or interim evaluation, USAID, Washington DC.

Evidence sample: The evaluation found that the program targeted a wide range of critical industry requirements. At the lower end of the scale, initiatives such as the Committed Youth component targeted younger, less-educated workers (who normally work in the informal economy) for work within the service industry—primarily retail and food services. The programme provides orientation, pre- selection, and training services for new workers. Having private sector companies offer employment to selected participants was crucial to the success of the model, attracting a relatively large number of youth job- seekers. Youth populations were trained to access and perform in jobs found across a broad spectrum of customer service environment

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2.3 Direct actions in communities

2.3.6. Vocational education/skills training

RECOMMENDATION: 22) Include life skills and other training in TVET programming as it is critical to help prepare graduates for jobs. The inclusion of life skills and other soft skills training will help ensure that they can build sufficient confidence to implement their technical skills.

Reference: Cambronero, Sergio; Midling, Michael; Molina, Francisco, 2012, Mid-term Evaluation- USAID Improving Access to Employment Program in El Salvador, Midterm or interim evaluation, USAID, Washington DC.

Evidence sample: program partners were able to experience first-hand the benefits of a training program that moves beyond occupational skills, focusing on the soft skills and customer service ethos that create the appropriate profile for the workforce requirements of the service sector.

Link report: https://issuu.com/caranacorporation/docs/elsalvadorwfd_finalreport_lores

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2.4 Approaches to enhance livelihoods, equity and inclusion

2.4.8. Strengthening IE with attention to people with disabilities

Recommendation: 5) Include post-training support such as job-placement and specialised training for people with disabilities to retain their employment.

Develop partnerships between entities that can strengthen entrepreneurial skills and business development opportunities for people with disabilities.

Reference: Cambronero, Sergio; Midling, Michael; Molina, Francisco, 2012, Mid-term Evaluation-USAID Improving Access to Employment Program in El Salvador, Midterm or interim evaluation, USAID, Washington DC.

EVIDENCE SAMPLE: 

1) The evaluation noted that the program should engage post-placement coaching and specialised training to assist people with disabilities to retain their employment, honing skills to promote greater accommodation for disabilities that can further support sustained employment. Moreover, albeit in a more limited sphere, the program should consider partnerships to develop entrepreneurial skills and business development opportunities for people with disabilities.

2) Alliance partners, such as SIL, have experienced substantial barriers in their attempts matching training and job-placement activities for disabled people with the private sector demand for labour.