Deadline: 28-May-2026
The UNICEF is inviting applications to support the design and implementation of a pre-apprenticeship programme in Brazil. The initiative is part of the broader 1 Million Opportunities Initiative and focuses on helping vulnerable adolescents and youth transition into formal employment through skills development, training, and structured career pathways.
Programme Overview
The programme is designed to improve youth employability in Brazil by bridging the gap between education and the formal labor market. It creates structured pathways that connect vulnerable adolescents with apprenticeship systems through a hybrid learning model that combines technical education, life skills, and foundational academic reinforcement.
The initiative is implemented through a multi-stakeholder approach involving government, private sector actors, civil society organizations, and young people.
Core Objectives
The main objectives of the programme include:
- Improving employability of vulnerable adolescents and youth
- Strengthening the transition from school to formal employment
- Expanding access to structured apprenticeship opportunities
- Reducing barriers to youth inclusion in the labor market
- Supporting skills development aligned with employer needs
Focus Areas
The initiative focuses on integrated youth development, including:
- Education and general education support
- Technical and vocational skills training
- Literacy and numeracy reinforcement
- Socio-emotional and life skills development
- Career guidance and employability support
- Structured pathways into formal apprenticeship systems
Programme Model and Approach
The programme uses a hybrid curriculum model that integrates multiple learning dimensions:
- Technical training aligned with labor market demand
- Life skills development, including communication and teamwork
- Foundational learning in literacy and numeracy
- Workplace exposure and employer-linked learning pathways
It also applies an innovation governance approach to:
- Reduce risks for participating companies
- Improve coordination among stakeholders
- Strengthen monitoring and implementation systems
- Ensure recognition of pre-apprenticeship training in recruitment processes
Implementation Strategy
The programme is built on strong collaboration between multiple actors:
- Government institutions supporting policy alignment
- Private sector companies offering training and employment pathways
- Civil society organizations supporting outreach and inclusion
- Youth participants contributing feedback and engagement
Companies involved are encouraged to integrate pre-apprenticeship training into their recruitment pipelines, improving the transition from training to employment.
Expected Results
The initiative aims to achieve the following outcomes:
- Pilot implementation of a pre-apprenticeship programme for 3,200 adolescents and youth
- Identification of systemic barriers through diagnostic research and stakeholder engagement
- Engagement of up to 10 private sector companies in training and employment pathways
- Validation of a hybrid curriculum combining technical, socio-emotional, and foundational skills
- Improved transition rates from education systems to formal employment
Target Group
The programme primarily targets:
- Vulnerable adolescents and youth in Brazil
- Individuals with low educational attainment
- Young people facing barriers to formal employment
- Youth excluded from traditional apprenticeship systems
Why the Programme Matters
- Addresses structural youth unemployment challenges in Brazil
- Builds a direct bridge between education and employment systems
- Strengthens inclusion of vulnerable youth in formal labor markets
- Enhances private sector participation in skills development
- Improves alignment between education systems and workforce needs
- Promotes long-term socio-economic mobility for disadvantaged youth
Key Impact Areas
- Increased access to structured apprenticeship opportunities
- Improved foundational and technical skills among youth
- Stronger employer engagement in youth training systems
- Better school-to-work transition outcomes
- Reduced youth exclusion from formal employment pathways
Conclusion
The UNICEF pre-apprenticeship initiative under the 1 Million Opportunities Initiative is a structured youth employment programme designed to connect vulnerable adolescents with formal labor market opportunities. By combining technical training, life skills, and employer partnerships, the initiative strengthens the school-to-work transition and supports long-term economic inclusion for young people in Brazil.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.