GRUPO CEIBA

Business and Job Placement for At-Risk Youth

The MIF supports the “Business and Job Placement for At-Risk Youth” project under implementation by Grupo Ceiba. The project targets disadvantaged rural and semi-urban youth red light districts, at risk of gang involvement in nine locations across Guatemala.

Grupo Ceiba provides technical/vocational training to youth in information technology-related skills, both online for distance learning and in-person training. Youth are also trained in life skills, receive support in internship and job placement, and are coached in job seeking strategies through job counseling services. Grupo Ceiba provides personalized support to those youth interested in pursuing self-employment after graduation. An innovative aspect of the project is the creation of an information technology (IT) cooperative that is staffed by youth program graduates as an alternative employment option for hard-to-hire youth.

So far, the project has trained 4,889 youth in IT-related jobs, established a 15 IT and Human Development Centers in Guatemala and is en route to achieve a 40% job placement rate.