Bridges for Employment

USAID Bridges for Employment will partner with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labor, vocational training centers/institutes, civil society organizations, and the private sector to improve employment opportunities for at-risk youth living in high-crime municipalities prioritized by the Government of El Salvador.

The activity will reduce youth engagement in illicit activities and illegal migration.

To achieve this, USAID works with young Salvadorans and employs an inclusive-systems approach that links government, service providers, training providers, and the private sector to help youth acquire the skills they need for success.

The activity will develop and deliver on-the-job training programs; support youth entrepreneur initiatives; and support inclusion of young women, LGBTI youth, youth with disabilities, and at-risk youth in the workforce.

This activity contributes to the Education and Workforce Development line of action under the Prosperity pillar of the U.S. Strategy for Central America.

The project also contributes directly to USAID's Education Strategy Goal 2 "improved ability of tertiary and workforce development programs to produce a workforce with relevant skills to support country development " and Goal 3 "increased equitable access to education in crisis and conflict environments." It also contributes to Strategic Objective 1.2 of the Joint Regional Strategy, which addresses the security, governance, and economic drivers of illegal immigration and illicit trafficking in Central America. [CARSI]