In today’s rapidly changing world, where opportunities and challenges intertwine, equipping vocational training students with skills, knowledge, and confidence to navigate their career paths has never been more crucial. PVE for Peace embarked on a mission to empower young students with tools that will enable them to easily integrate in the labor market. This mission was born from a partnership between PVE for Peace and ATIL, aimed at fostering career development among the students of vocational training schools. This collaborative endeavor falls within the framework of the “Preventing Youth Radicalization through Effective Socio-Educational Interventions (Phase 4)” project, a testament to the organizations’ shared commitment to holistic youth development.

A Journey Towards Empowerment

Recognizing that education goes beyond the classroom, PVE for Peace employed a comprehensive approach to empower both educators and students. This approach consisted of a series of strategic actions, each meticulously designed to bring about tangible changes in the lives of young individuals seeking direction and purpose.

Crafting Career Planning Tools

At the heart of this initiative lies the creation of two essential tools in the forms of practical guides that will serve as guiding materials for students: the Career Project Planning Tool and the Professional Project Planning Tool. The former sets out to channel the entrepreneurial spirit within the students, imparting fundamental concepts and skills to transform ideas into viable projects, and it provides them with practical steps to create a successful company or a freelancing business. The latter hones in on career development, equipping students with the tools to assess their strengths, explore the job market, set goals, develop job-seeking materials, and excel in job interviews.

Transforming Tools into a Comprehensive Guide and Posters 

PVE for Peace transformed the tools into a comprehensive practical guide directed for teachers and educators. It aimed at equipping the necessary tools that they can communicate to students in order to prepare them for the labor market. Teachers and educators were provided with different paths depending on the needs and interests of their students.  For instance, they can either guide or support students in creating their company, develop a freelance business, look for internships, or find a relevant job in the private sector. 

In addition to that, the practical steps included in this guide were transformed into engaging posters to be exhibited inside the schools and educational centers. They remind both students and teachers about the successful keys to be integrated in the labor market.  

Training and Coaching for Sustainable Impact

Knowledge alone is not enough; it requires skilled facilitation to be truly transformative. This is where PVE for Peace steps in, offering a comprehensive training of trainers (ToT) to educators and project focal points. This training focused on the tools, fostering a deep understanding and providing the pedagogical insights needed to guide students effectively. Furthermore, coaching sessions for educators were also conducted inside their classes in order to support them in improving their facilitation techniques and to ensure efficient utilization of the developed tools as part of this  intervention. 

The Road Ahead: A Vision of Empowerment

The echoes of this capacity building program resonate far beyond the confines of the classrooms. As educators and focal points return to their roles, armed with new skills and resources, they are equipped to guide students through the complexities of career development and entrepreneurial pursuits. The practical guide distilled from these tools ensures that this knowledge is accessible, actionable, and truly transformative.

PVE for Peace envisions a future where these tools are more than instruments – they are catalysts for change. By nurturing the talents, ambitions, and dreams of the youth, PVE for Peace is contributing to a society where young individuals are not just participants but active creators of their destinies.