Youth Employability

Growing up in today’s world is not always easy. It is even harder for those who grow up without the support of a family. SOS Children’s Villages empowers young people to acquire the skills they need to transition to the workplace and independent life. 

 

 

Partnering for Youth Employability

Young people in Zambia face significant challenges in securing employment and achieving independence. The youth unemployment rate was estimated at 18.8% in 2022, with higher rates in urban areas (20%) compared to rural areas (16.5%). Female youth unemployment in urban areas was notably higher at 23.7%, compared to 17.3% for males.

Vulnerable groups, such as orphans and children from at-risk families, encounter even greater difficulties. Approximately 18% of children aged 0-14 in Zambia are orphans, one of the highest rates in Sub-Saharan Africa.

To address these challenges, we support young people by equipping them with the necessary skills and resources to prepare for the labor market, improve their employment prospects, and build a brighter future.

 

 

Poor education, coupled with a lack of social support networks, parental encouragement, and career guidance, has historically contributed to lower employment prospects for young people growing up in alternative care in Zambia.

Youth unemployment remains a major challenge in Zambia, with young people facing higher unemployment rates than the national average. According to the Labour Force Survey Report (2022), the youth unemployment rate stood at 18.8%, with urban areas experiencing higher rates (20%) compared to rural areas (16.5%). Among urban youth, unemployment was particularly high for females (23.7%) compared to males (17.3%). Zambia has a growing youth population, and many young people are neither employed nor in education or training, making it difficult for them to transition into the workforce.

A significant number of young people in Zambia, especially those in alternative care, struggle to find jobs due to an education system that does not fully align with labor market demands. Many lack the necessary work experience and social connections to secure formal employment. Studies from SOS Children’s Villages programs in Sub-Saharan Africa have highlighted similar challenges, showing that young people leaving alternative care often face greater barriers to employment. Without adequate support, career guidance, and skills development, these youth are at a higher risk of long-term unemployment and economic hardship.

To address this issue, initiatives focused on vocational training, career mentorship, and job placement programs are essential to help young people improve their employability and secure sustainable livelihoods.

Empowering young people

We support young people on their way to employment and independence through a special focus on youth empowerment.

We provide guidance to young people on education and career options, and encourage them to develop their individual interests, talents and opportunities.

We equip disadvantaged young people with the skills and qualifications to increase their employability.

We assist young people to get practical work experience through job shadowing and internships. To do this, we are working in successful partnerships with the private sector, NGOs and government organisations.

A good example is the GoTeach programme with Deutsche Post DHL which improves the employability of disadvantaged young people and early school leavers by connecting them with the world of work. More than 9,000 young people in 26 countries across Latin America, Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe have benefited from the programme.

We promote access to computers and the internet, and help young people improve job readiness through training in digital skills and digital resources for job seekers.

Learn more about how we work with partners to leverage the benefits of technologies for children, young people and families:

Network of global YouthCan! partners