Helping marginalised young people enter the modern workforce
SkillsHub is a multifunctional vocational training facility in Zambia focusing on digital, hospitality and agricultural science skills.
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Aim: The programme equips out-of-school youth with in-demand vocational skills, enabling them to secure sustainable livelihoods and contribute to their local economies.
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Programmes: Remedial ICT, Maths and Literacy in partnership with Edulution, agriculture, digital skills and more.
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Clients: 880 youths annually from the lowest wealth quintile who are not in employment, education or training.
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Impact: Poverty alleviation, increased employment, demonstrate best practice for engagement of economically marginalised youth in formal economies.
How we make a difference
In Zambia, many young people face significant barriers to education and employment, often finding themselves without the skills needed to thrive in today’s economy. The SkillsHub was created to bridge this gap. It offers vocational training in digital and agricultural sciences that equips teenagers with the tools to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to their communities.
The teenagers who join SkillsHub often come from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, including informal settlements and refugee camps. Many have been out of education for an extended period, leaving them with limited opportunities for their future. Despite these challenges, they demonstrate incredible resilience and ambition. Our programme is designed to help them unlock their potential and create brighter futures.
What the clients receive
The young people who join the SkillsHub are eager to learn and grow. Together, we’re investing in their future and driving sustainable development.
1. Targeted Outreach
We focus on reaching teenagers 15-19 years old who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), particularly those from marginalised communities in Zambia. Our programme prioritises girls and refugees, ensuring that those most in need gain access to the skills training that can change their lives.
2. Vocational Training for a Modern Economy
At SkillsHub, students receive hands-on training in digital technologies, agricultural sciences and other in-demand jobs in Zambia. Our training prepares them for a range of career opportunities in growing sectors. Whether it’s coding, digital design, or sustainable farming practices, our curriculum is aligned with the demands of the modern economy.
3. Confidence and Entrepreneurial Spirit
In addition to technical skills, SkillsHub emphasises personal development. We help students build the confidence, self-reliance, and entrepreneurial spirit needed to succeed in any field. By fostering these qualities, we empower them to break the cycle of poverty and create lasting change in their communities.
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4. A Safe and Supportive Environment
At SkillsHub, we recognise that the barriers to education go beyond academics, and we address the practical challenges preventing teenagers from attending training. Providing meals, childcare, and a safe environment ensures that students can fully participate in the programme. Our centres offer an inclusive space where young people can focus on learning and personal growth, free from external pressures.
Why SkillsHub in Zambia?
All our programmes worldwide teach vocational skills, but in Zambia, we work with children who have incomplete educations. Zambia has significant potential for economic growth, particularly in agriculture, hospitality and emerging digital sectors. By focusing on vocational training, Skills Hub can help young people tap into these opportunities, changing their lives and helping the economy to grow.
Barriers to Education and Employment
In Zambia, 60% of the population is under 25, and unemployment is high. Access to quality and secondary education that families can afford is limited, particularly in rural areas, and particularly for girls and those who live at the margins of society.
Skills Mismatch
The Zambian economy is evolving, with growing sectors like digital technology, hospitality and agriculture requiring skilled workers. However, existing vocational training requires a school graduation qualification which most children never achieve.
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Aiming for broad economic
impact
"Our SkillsHub graduates will not only find employment, but they can also start their own businesses, contributing to economic growth in their communities. The ripple effect of demonstrating the economic benefit of investing in vocational training for undereducated children has profound implications for economic growth in the Global South.”
James Haughton - PI CEO
Outreach Scholarships
We partner with quality schools to offer scholarships, training, and support, ensuring students receive a child-centred education. Our scholarships at these schools promote social mobility and economic empowerment by providing access to education for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
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This approach allows us to share the experience of our campuses and our educational toolkits for increased impact.
Pestalozzi International is committed to expanding our social impact, focusing on the regions where the need is greatest.
The children and young people who join our programmes demonstrate exceptional potential despite facing significant challenges. Many are girls and refugees from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our rigorous selection process ensures that we reach those most in need, helping them transform their futures and, in turn, the futures of those around them.
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By supporting our expansion efforts, you can help bring holistic education to the children who need it most, enabling them to break the cycle of poverty and become leaders and changemakers in their communities.
