Prime Implementer
Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF)
Implementing Partners
Project Timeline
October 2021- September 2026
Project Goals
To improve the soft and technical skills of youth and women and increase their linkages to occupations in key and/or growing sectors by reducing barriers to entry in the labor market.
Throughout the implementation, the overall goal is achieved through three complementary and mutually reinforcing objectives:
Objective 1: Reducing the gap between the skills of the workforce and the needs of employers.
Objective 2: Shifting societal perceptions to support effective labor market participation.
Objective 3: Improving the operating and enabling environment of labor market development.
Brief Background
The Armenian labor market tackles “skills shortages” rather than “degree shortages.” 54% of youth (between the ages of 15 and 29) had an intermediate level of education and 21% had an advanced degree of education. Even though educational attainment levels are high in Armenia, skill mismatches across different industries represent an issue in the labor market. Armenia ranked 61st (out of 140 countries) in the Skills pillar of the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report.
Most educational programs do not include “learning by doing” approaches and do not offer modules on soft/transversal skills when the graduates of dual and work-based educational programs on average have 37.5% more chances to get employed during the first year after graduation.
The official statistics state that women constitute almost the half of the workforce engaged in the following sectors: Information and Communications Technology (ICT), agriculture, and hospitality. The share of women in the ICT sector is slightly lower than in other sectors. Labor markets are undergoing structural transformations affected by technological progress, socio-demographic and environmental changes. This directly influences the quantity and quality of labor force demand. New job creation becomes more challenging in one sector while there are new opportunities in others. These developments put additional pressure on the educational sector to adapt their offering to the constantly evolving needs of employers.
Overview of Activities
INTRODUCING NEW AND SCALING UP EXCITING WORK-BASED AND DUAL-EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
The Activity collaborates with industry leaders of ICT/high-tech, agriculture and hospitality sector to design market-relevant capacity building programs and prepare ready-to-work professionals that cater those industries and/or create their own ventures. Through active cooperation with Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and higher educational institutions and private sector the Activity identifies the gaps in educational programs and skill mismatches in the labor market and provides assistance with upgrading educational programs and provision of ToT programs for lecturers.
SOCIETAL PERCEPTIONS STUDY AND LAUNCH OF AWARENESS RAISING AND INSPIRATIONAL COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS
The Activity includes series of awareness raising campaigns targeted at (i) reaching out to youth groups, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and women to generate interest and motivate in joining the available programs, (ii) the learning path of youth, through showcasing success and achievements, (iii) private companies and bringing their attention to the graduates of non-formal education programs, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, higher education, PWDs, females and recruiting them for available positions. The campaigns include TV programs, seminars, events and social media actions, which engage the youth, their families and teachers/lecturers in positive discussions around diversity and inclusion and amplify youth voices to encourage civic and economic participation of their peers.
PARTICIPATIVE POLICY DIALOG TO PROMOTE ON THE FORMATION OF INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NATIONAL AGENDA
The Activity actively collaborates with the Government of Armenia and relevant bodies to support their reform agenda through project activities, as well as benefit from the Government actions to support and facilitate project activities.
Expected Results
- Equip 10,000 young people at the age of 15-29 in all marzes (administrative territorial units) of Armenia with working skills, highly demanded in the labor market.
- Ensure 7,000 young people have better employment opportunities.
Contact
Enterprise Incubator Foundation
21/1 Bagrevand str. Yerevan, Armenia
(011) 219797
info@eif.am
Lusine Ghukasyan
Lusine.ghukasyan@eif.am
