SHAQODOON

The Assessment The Education Development Center (EDC) and Mercy Corps did an assessment by consulting businesses, training centers, universities, and elected and appointed public service officials and youth.  Following the assessment, EDC developed the project design and is now implementing the program. The assessment team found that a method is needed that can: work with employers to better understand the skills needed; assist education and training providers to develop programs that are more focused on meeting labor market demand and that build upon existing technical training programs; and help youth find and successfully pursue livelihood and work opportunities. Shaqodoon is an answer to these findings.

Activities The project is working now to achieve its objectives through services provided by project staff and implementing partners. The implementing partners will be NGOs, universities and businesses who will be selected through a competitive application process.  Training and livelihood resources will be available in face to face locations at the partner locations and on the web site: www.shaqodoon.org.

Shaqodoon is working with employers to better define their needs for skills, as well as assist education and training providers with program development. The project staff and implementing partners are beginning to provide the support, guidance, training and connections necessary for youth to make a successful transition to employment, self‐employment, internships, or apprenticeships. The project is piloting innovative cell phone and web-based technologies to communicate between organizations offering career opportunities and youth looking for work.

In addition to face-to-face education, the project is also launching an innovate use of technology for education through the production of interactive Somali language audio programs on financial literacy and Entrepreneurship , and linking youth to opportunities through the use of  cell phones and web-based technologies.  The program is currently in Somaliland and is expanding in late 2009 to Puntland and South Central Somalia. The project aims to reach 8,000 youth over a 3-year period.