Our impact

The ECLT Foundation works directly with communities in 6 countries.

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La Máquina Youth Employment Model™

Moving youth in rural areas away from hazardous child labour towards decent employment.

By improving the employability of youth and addressing existing skills gaps in the job market, The La Máquina Youth Employment Model™ serves as an economic development strategy for job creation and the eradication of poverty.

The model is aimed at:

  • State representatives

  • Businesses & Corporate Social Responsibility Teams

  • International organisations

  • Civil society

  • Practitioners

Our model

  • PREPARATION
    Phase 1

    PREPARATION

    Knowing the issue: The intervgit add . ention area is identified and a baseline study to document the issue is carried out. Findings and recom-mendations from the baseline study are shared with relevant stakeholders and next steps are defined in collaboration with the stakeholders.

  • SUSTAINABLE FRAMEWORK
    Phase 2

    SUSTAINABLE FRAMEWORK

    Building the structure: All the necessary conditions and agree-ments are established to ensure the validity and the continuation of the model. A local Advisory Committee is established to pro-vide oversight of the model. The design of a training curriculum is developed, appropriate training providers are identified, and the selection criteria for future enrolment of students is established.

  • TRAINING & INTERNSHIPS
    Phase 3

    TRAINING & INTERNSHIPS

    Implementing the programme: Concrete training activities are organised and facilitated. This requires the enrolment of students into the training and the facilitation of activities that support rentention and completion. Internships within the local job market are identified for future placements.

  • JOB PLACEMENT
    Phase 4

    JOB PLACEMENT

    Supporting youth: Focus is on creating sup-portive mechanisms that help graduates to tran-sition from school to labour market and securing permanent placement or supporting continued education towards decent employment.

In their own words

  • Getting back to education

    Getting back to education

    The Model is designed with local stakeholders and helps addresses local barriers to education, getting young people back to school.

    Hear what students say about getting back to school:

    “I stopped school after primary, since my family didn’t have the resources to fund my education. I was out of school for more than 8 years, working in the fields.” Kimberly Alexandra Álvarez Flores, Student

    “Due to the VTIP more young people are now enrolled in secondary education.” Olman Waldemar Mendoza, Student and Intern

    The Model works:

    School retention rates increased from 25% to 97.5% in La Máquina.

  • Building the workforce of tomorrow

    Building the workforce of tomorrow

    Internships help local businesses and organisations train the future workforce so that they can continue to evolve and stay competitive.

    Hear what employers and interns have to say about the experience:

    “The internships are a great initiative. They provide opportunities for students who would normally not have access to this kind of experience.”

    “Our intern adapted very well to his internship. He has been successful with all the assigned work and he has definitely helped us. It is a very good experience for everyone. We hope the programme will continue.” Allan Gaitán and Erica Barrios, Human Resources, District Department of Education

    The Model works:

    18 businesses and employers have offered internships, including banking institutions, retail centres and Government offices.

  • Putting Skills into Practice

    Putting Skills into Practice

    On the job learning through internships deepens knowledge gained in the classroom and prepares students to join the world of work.

    Hear how interns value the chance to put their skills to work:

    “The training is high quality. We build our capacities and access to tools, which prepare us to get a better job. This will help improve the community’s economy.” Olman Waldemar Mendoza, Student and Intern

    “At first, when we were asked to make the marketing flyer we were afraid to fail, but everything went very well. It was worth it because we learned a lot.” Student interning at Plaza Américas Shopping Centre

    The Model works:

    80 internships have already been successfully completed.

  • The Power of PPPs

    The Power of PPPs

    Building sustainable vocational training and internship programmes helps build collaboration and commitment from government and private sector actors.

    Former Guatemala Minister of Labour, Gabriel Aguilar Bolaños, champions partnership through the Model:

    “La Máquina Youth Employment Model is a proof that the public-private partnership is important if we want to make positive impact…The model is a great example of what we can achieve through collaboration.” Gabriel Aguilera Bolaños, Former Minister of Labour and Social Welfare of Guatemala

    “The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare have signed MOUs with the Foundation which gives the collaboration a legal foundation. I believe this has been fundamental for the project to function.” Gabriel Aguilera Bolaños, Former Minister of Labour and Social Welfare of Guatemala

    The Model works:

    2 critical agreements signed with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour promise on-going commitment and sustainability.

  • Reaching Underserved Communities

    Reaching Underserved Communities

    The Model strengthens skills training and connects students to local job markets in communities where this level of education does not exist, in line with international good practices.

    Hear from local and regional leaders how the model added value to their communities:

    “It is an honour for the municipality to have this type of education. It was an area completely abandoned and today the community has managed to move forward.” Ronal Aldana Chilin, Mayor of San José La Máquina

    “The Model has allowed for a comprehensive training of young people in San José La Máquina, preparing them for the labour market and for the businesses in Suchitepéquez.” Natalia Elizabeth Chavaloc Chay, Director, Department of Suchitepéquez, The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare

    The Model Works:

    Almost 200 students are currently enrolled in secondary school and skills training in-demand skills like Business, Marketing, English and Computers.

  • Scaling up

    Scaling up

    Working closely with local businesses and communities makes the Model highly adaptable and ideal for replication and up scaling.

    National leaders in Guatemala confirm that this model has great promise for replication and up-scaling:

    “This experience has motivated us to create other initiatives and replicate this model in other regions of the country, where child labour exists.” Claudia Peneleu, Unit for the protection of adolescent workers, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (Mintrab)

    “The impact that the Model has had on the community is a spark that should be lit across the country.” Maria Sonia Ayala, Director of the Department of Education Suchitepéquez MINEDUC Guatemala

    The La Maquina Youth Employment model was showcased at the Central America Regional Conference against Child Labour as a recognised good practice.