As part of its focus on helping vulnerable youth prepare for employment opportunities in the country’s high-growth economic sectors, USAID Bridges to Employment (Puentes) is supporting youth in gaining the technical, life skills, and on-the-job training needed to get their start in El Salvador’s critical tourism industry.

To accomplish this, Bridges to Employment provides support to training centers that offer courses in tourism-related topics. One such training center is USAID-funded grantee Fe y Alegría (FyA), which recently expanded its offer of technical trainings to the municipality of San Miguel to respond to the needs of the local tourism industry and to boost employment in the area. This week, 20 vulnerable youth initiated their technical training course in Gastronomy with FyA in San Miguel to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to work as chefs and cooks. In addition to classroom instruction, FyA provides youth who successfully complete the training with hands-on experience through internship opportunities with companies such as Grupo Lorena, Restaurante Don Beto, and Mister Donut, and helps facilitate job placement for course graduates through labor intermediation services. 

By offering support to vulnerable youth at multiple points in their development, including technical training, life skills instruction, hands-on experience, as well as labor orientation and intermediation services, Bridges to Employment is providing a holistic and complementary set of services that improve the employability of vulnerable youth. Equipped with this training and experience, vulnerable youth will find increased opportunities in the high-growth tourism sector, improving their potential for sustaining themselves and their families in their home country.

Contact: Caterina Valero, cvalero@puentesempleo.com