Background – El Salvador is one of the poorest countries in Latin America . From 1980 to 1991 a ruinous civil war raged, resulting in thousands of deaths and causing destruction running into the billions. Social problems have continued to blight the country right up to the present day. There is an enormous gulf between rich and poor. Lack of prospects have resulted in many young people from the excluded classes sliding down the slippery slope into criminality. The basic vocational education on offer has serious limitations. Just a small minority of those who are interested have access to it. Particularly in the rural areas, there are just no opportunities. In addition, the curriculum is not sufficiently oriented towards the labour market. Less than one third of the graduates find employment after completing their training.

Project – During the current phase (2009-2012) the goal is to ensure that at least 5'000 youths and young adults have the opportunity for a career-oriented vocational training that enables them to make the step up into gainful employment. In order to take the varying levels into account, the vocational training takes place in modules. The courses last up to three months and are offered in the following vocational areas: bricklayer, bricklayer foreman, sewing machine mechanic, refrigeration and air conditioning technician, welder, carpenter, cook, tailor, waiter, bartender, confectioner. For people, who want to start up their own business or have done so already, the project offers training courses in topics like jewelry and handicraft production, hair dressing and production of traditional sweets. The principal target groups are the unemployed, as well as socially disadvantaged women and men, primarily from the rural districts, who, because they lack vocational qualifications, have very limited opportunities for gainful employment. Moreover, young men without any career prospects are at risk of being recruited by criminal gangs. It is exactly this that the project aims to pre-empt. The courses are being run by local partners. Swisscontact is providing them with technical and organizational support, as well as support in quality control. SMEs providing additional positions for young people are receiving technical support in training matters. As a result, the national vocational education system has been significantly strengthened. The opportunities for young people in the labour market have been increasing. The project thus provides a blueprint for the reduction of poverty and criminality, two long-term consequences of El Salvador ’s civil war.