Across the world, more than 75 million young people are unemployed, and their employability is proving to be a challenge for the future. Many developing countries face the same situation, while dynamic and job-creating industrial sectors exist.

This paradox is mainly explained by a mismatch between technical trainings and business’ needs. This is particularly the case in the sectors of energy, electricity and automotive maintenance, which are looking for highly skilled technicians. Therefore, IECD launched the Seeds of Hope program to support young people towards a successful professional integration and allow them to have access to a rewarding and sustainable job, by closing the gap between the market’s needs and young graduates’ competences and skills.

In partnership with local companies and vocational training centers, the program focuses on upgrading the training programs, so that they better meet the expectations of the labor market. This makes it easier for the young graduates to gain lasting employment in the countries’ dynamic industrial sectors.

The project methodology includes the update of the training curricula, the training of the trainers, the upgrade of the workshops and the setting up of guidance and employment activities to place the students in real life work situations (internships, company visits etc.).

After successful results in Lebanon, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco and the Ivory Coast, the program was launched in Vietnam in 2017.

In Vietnam, more than 400.000 young people enter the job market every year and they represent 47 % of the country’s unemployment.

To foster young graduates’ professional integration and to support disadvantaged youth access to vocational training, IECD partnered with two vocational training centers in Ho Chi Minh City:

• the Thu Duc College of Technology (TDC)
• the Ho Chi Minh City Technical and Economic College (HOTEC).

The project focuses on two pre-baccalaureate vocational training programs:

• Electricity for Residential and Industrial Buildings
• Automotive Maintenance and Repair.

By 2019, the project aims to support more than 1400 students, to contribute to their professional integration and to local development.