Beirut, 16 Sept 2021 –UNICEF, in partnership with the World Bank and the implementation of Forward MENA, launched today the Enhancing Youth Employment in the 21st Century Digital Economy project at Beirut Digital District.
The project, funded by Government of Netherlands, will support marginalized young people to transition from learning to earning by building a platform that will improve labour market data, employment intermediation services, skills training and job matching, and private sector capacity building in the digital economy.
“Lebanon faces significant challenges in closing the youth unemployment gap that is estimated at 47.8%” said Kyaw Aung UNICEF Acting Representative. “Young people who are not equipped with digital skills are being left behind in harnessing the job opportunities that digital economy can provide. Through this project, UNICEF will help youth in Lebanon gain access to the digital economy and its many employments and educational resources” he added.
In her turn, the World Bank Country Operations Representative Mouna Cousi highlighted that “the World Bank is pleased to partner with UNICEF on the Enhancing Youth Employment in the 21st Century Digital Economy project which is vital to equipping youth from all over Lebanon with the digital skills needed to thrive in todays ever changing economy”.
This project will bring together the public sector, private sector, key digital technology players, educational institutions, and vulnerable young people to develop a more equitable, systematic and empowering bridge from skills training to employment opportunities. 5,000 youth will be trained in 5 different international certified courses on Digital Literacy, Digital Marketing and Cloud computing, and will be offered career guidance, employment support services, and job-linking after the completion of the industry-certified courses.
“Our partnership with UNICEF and World Bank aims at supporting young adults who are looking to increase their current earning potential by guiding them through the process of identifying their next move, acquiring the skills, training, and connections to improve their earning. We will focus on in-demand digital careers and provide a highly supportive and guided process to maximize the potential for growth and success” explained Mohamad Rabah President of Forward MENA.
Voices of youth expressing their current struggles and their needs to access digital education were heard in a short video during the event.
Link to the video can be accessed on the following link
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About UNICEF
Working in Lebanon for over 70 years, UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
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