--Gaza EFE graduate Mohammed A. |
EFE is pioneering a unique approach to helping young people achieve their full potential and easing the problems of youth unemployment in the countries where we operate.
By garnering the support of business, government, education and civic leaders, we create sustainable, independent local foundations that run our training and job placement programs. With them, we identify sectors of the economy that offer solid potential for growth and job creation but lack appropriately-qualified personnel. In conjunction with businesses that promise to hire our graduates, we then create innovative training courses that are directly linked to jobs.
EFE also brings together local business and community leaders to serve on the Board of Directors or Business Advisory Council of each foundation.
Governance
EFE shares the governance in each foundation with distinguished local leaders. EFE provides guidance and project management support through our U.S. offices and sister foundation in Europe.
Funding
EFE, EuropEFE and the EFE affiliates share fundraising responsibilities during the launch and implementation phases.
Private Sector
Local businesses agree to hire a specified number of graduates from the program, provide funding for the program, and offer in-kind contributions such as office space and administrative staff. In addition, they encourage other business leaders to hire graduates and introduce EFE to government leaders and other decision-makers.
Training
Working together, EFE, EuropEFE and EFE affiliates identify needed skills, refine the program curricula, select trainers, enroll students and place them in pre-committed jobs.
Global Standard
EFE and EuropEFE provide our programs with state-of-the-art, internationally-recognized curricula and project management support.
Alumni Network
Through its internet-based "EFE Online," EFE and EuropEFE manage an Alumni Network to provide ongoing mentoring and continuing education for graduates. Most alumni also give back a small portion of their salary upon employment to offer the same opportunity to youth who come after them.
Sustainability
Going forward, we expect that employer sponsorships will fund an increasing share of the program costs. However, grants and contributions are needed for the long term sustainability of EFE, EuropEFE and their local affiliates.
Replicability
We identify economic sectors and specific industries where there is broad demand for skilled personnel. Each course is then tailored to the needs of the company that commits jobs and funds training. Working though local foundations and in-country faculty who are specially trained for the task, we establish a training, operational, and financial framework for each program that can be scaled up and replicated.
