Empowering Moroccan NEETs to Attain Economic Independence

Summary

In 2024, Jadara Foundation committed to launch a six year initiative to provide direct access to education and professional skills development for more than 2,300 marginalized youth and other individuals across Morocco. The “Wings by Coding” project will establish IT training and upskilling centers that create meaningful employment opportunities for individuals currently categorized as “Not in Education, Employment, and Training” (NEET) , including women–helping to close the gender gap in the technology industry. The project places a premium on soft skills training, financial education, mentorship, personal development, and entrepreneurship and encompasses emerging avenues of self-employment and freelancing that align with the aspirations of a growing number of youth.

Approach

“Wings by Coding” offers a distinctive approach: establishing 12 IT training and upskilling centers beyond Morocco’s primary urban and rural hubs. This initiative aims to create meaningful employment opportunities for individuals currently categorized as “Not in Education, Employment, and Training” (NEET) , including women. Additionally, it taps into the emerging avenues of self-employment and freelancing, aligning well with the aspirations of the youth. The program will support 2300 individuals by 2030 as part of Jadara’s broader goal to support a total of 10,000 beneficiaries and help them improve their lives by 2030. The timeline for this initiative spans from September 2024 to December 2030.
The project aims to support the employment of 1700 graduates from the program through direct job placements. Additionally, the project will support job creation by assisting 300 individuals on their entrepreneurial journey, who in turn are projected to create 300 additional job positions.
The program’s training methodology revolutionizes the traditional learning paradigm. It emphasizes project-based learning and hands-on exercises, fostering an environment where participants develop not only digital proficiency but also adaptable skills aligned with industry demands. Utilizing an interactive and gamified learning platform, the program ensures an engaging and effective learning experience.
Beyond technical proficiency, the ‘Wings by Coding’ initiative addresses another key observation from the Scoping Report: the lack of tech talents with strong soft skills. Participants will undergo additional hours of soft skills training covering financial education, mentorship, personal development, employability skills, and entrepreneurship acumen. This aims to enhance the integration of young graduates into the job market.
The project’s implementation relies on the capacity of the organization to mobilize its partners and maintain their involvement in providing financial support and guidance for program deployment. It also involves mobilizing expert volunteers to mentor beneficiaries, reducing dropout rates, and participating in the beneficiary selection process.

Action Plan

Our further structured approach in implementation of “Wings By Coding” gives us the possibility of suggesting implementation steps for the entire term of our commitment itself, ensuring that each phase is carefully planned, executed and monitored to achieve the desired impact over the commitment’s term.
Ongoing: Q1 to Q24
Regularly communicate progress to stakeholders through updates and reports.
Continue to engage with beneficiaries, partners, and the community.
Explore possibilities for extending the commitment or launching new initiatives based on success.
Phase 1: Commitment Kick-off and Planning:
Q1 to Q4
Hold a kickoff meeting with all involved parties.
Clearly define the scope, objectives, and expected outcomes of the commitment.
Establish a dedicated project team with assigned roles.
Q2-Q4
Develop a detailed project plan, including timelines and key milestones.
Identify and engage key stakeholders, including partners, mentors, and beneficiaries.
Phase 2 : Outreach and Awareness:
Part 1 : Q1-Q24
Launch an awareness campaign about the commitment.
Develop and disseminate promotional materials.
Engage with media outlets to increase visibility.
Part 2 : Q4 – Q5, Q7 -Q9, Q11-Q13, Q15-Q17, Q18-Q20
Initiate targeted outreach to potential beneficiaries.
Conduct information sessions and webinars to explain the commitment’s benefits.
Phase 3: Program Execution and Monitoring : Q4-Q24 – 2000 youth will enroll into the program (100 apprentices quarter from quarter 4 til quarter 24) :
Officially launch the commitment and its associated program « Wings By Coding »
Begin monitoring and evaluation activities.
Implement feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement.
Phase 4: Mid-Term Review and Adjustments Q11-Q12:
Conduct a mid-term review of the commitment’s progress
Gather feedback from stakeholders and beneficiaries
Identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments
Phase 5 : Scaling and Sustainability:
Q1-Q24
Explore opportunities for scaling the commitment’s impact.
Develop strategies for long-term sustainability
Strengthen partnerships with relevant organizations
Q13, Q17, Q20, Q24
Assess the overall success of the commitment against predefined key performance indicators (KPIs) Publish a comprehensive report detailing achievements and lessons learned; and the impact of (Program and commitment)

Background

The Moroccan population aged between 18 and 44 years has experienced an average annual growth rate of 2.3% over the past thirty years. It is projected to continue increasing at a similar rate, reaching 15.3 million by 2030, constituting 40.1% of the Moroccan population. The demographic significance of this age group underscores the importance of addressing its needs in education, training, and employment within the development process.
However, according to the Office for National Statistics (HCP – Haut Commissariat au Plan) , an estimated 4.5 million individuals aged 18 to 35 fall under the category of “Not in Education, Employment, or Training” (NEET) . Concurrently, Rekrute’s 2022 report reveals that one-third of job opportunities in Morocco are within the Information Technology sector.
This project aims to confront the growing challenges arising from the mismatch between employers’ requirements and the qualifications of the workforce. It seeks to create opportunities for unemployed and untrained youth to develop technical and soft skills aligned with the demands of formal employment. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce the number of young NEET individuals.

Progress Update

Partnership Opportunities

To complete and scale our Wings By Coding commitment, Jadara seeks financial resources for program expansion, implementing partners to broaden their reach, media support for increased visibility, best practice information to refine the approach, and networking opportunities to facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing., As part of our commitment, Jadara will serve as a catalyst for positive change by providing financial resources, establishing partnerships, and implementing capacity-building initiatives. Through strategic collaborations, Jadara aims to disseminate technological assistance, media exposure, and best practice information, nurturing a culture of knowledge exchange and collaboration. Moreover, Jadara offers networking opportunities, mentorship programs, and advocacy support to enhance collective impact. In-kind contributions, such as equipment and services, further bolster our dedication to supporting organizations aligned with our objectives. Jadara prioritizes the sharing of expertise in monitoring and evaluation, education, and training programs to empower others. Through these varied resources and services, Jadara aspires to cultivate an inclusive and collaborative environment, promoting a shared responsibility for addressing challenges and effecting meaningful change.