Deadline: 20 October 2017
The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is seeking proposals for its Skills for Youth Program (SYP) to identify and rigorously evaluate innovative solutions to improve youth employment in Latin America. The goal of the program is to address the gap between youth skills and labor market demand.
J-PAL’s Skills for Youth Program (SYP) will support the evaluation of new programs to address the mismatch between youth’s skills and labor market demands in Latin America.
The Skills for Youth Program (SYP) aims to generate rigorous evidence on what programs work to increase or improve youth employment. SYP focuses exclusively on Latin America and the Caribbean (excluding Brazil).
Funding Information
- The maximum amount that will be given to proposals will be $100,000.
- In addition, all proposals should aim to have preliminary results in 12-18 months.
Priorities Questions
- What is the optimal structure of job training programs? How long should youth remain in training programs to fully develop their skills? Is there an ideal combination of in-classroom training and on-the-job training?
- How can teach students “soft” skills that will help them work in teams, proactively solve problems, and innovate in their future jobs?
- What can training programs offer youth and employers to help them assess the quality and relevance of the training participants receive?
- Why is demand for trainings low? What are the greatest barriers to participating in training programs and what are the most effective ways to address them?
- How can improve the quality of what students learn in vocational training programs? How can improve the content of these programs? Do you need to select or prepare instructors differently?
- How can targeting of youth employment programs be improved to identify youth who are likely to benefit from these programs? How can youth be informed about which options are best for them?
- What is the best way to provide targeted information to youth about existing training options and the labor market impacts of those programs?
- How can connect educational institutions and potential employers to ensure that training provides adequate skills for the job market?
- Can helping youth navigate the transition to the labor force improve other aspects of their well-being, such as psychological and emotional well-being, health, and participation in criminal activities?
- Are young people’s expectations and aspirations mismatched with the realities of the labor market? Can providing youth with information about the realities of the labor market help them to make better decisions?
Eligibility Criteria
J-PAL affiliates, J-PAL postdocs, special invitees of the youth initiative and special invitees of the region will be eligible to apply.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit their proposal via email at the address given on the website.
Eligible Countries: Argentina, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guyana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Panama, Peru, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela.
For more information, please visit Skills for Youth Program.