KAMPALA —On January 24, 2014, U.S. Mission Uganda launched the second six-month YouthMap internship opportunity for young university graduates to improve their employment prospects and contribute to the country’s broader economic development efforts.
The YouthMap Program is a four-year initiative funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented in partnership with the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Restless Development Uganda.
The program offers skills training to youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, places them in six-month internships within public, private, and civil society organizations, and provides mentoring and professional development support. Internship placements represent six growth sectors, including agriculture, tourism, banking and financial services, telecommunications, government, and civil society.
Interns receive training to start small businesses with support from Microsoft and financial training and opportunities from private sector partners such as Barclays Bank.
Employers have played a key role in designing and delivering the training and providing ongoing coaching, which ensures the success of the program. Organizations sponsoring interns include Barclays Bank, The Daily Monitor, MTN, Marie Stopes Uganda, Hotel Protea, Uganda Parliamentary Forum, National Agricultural Research Laboratories, among others.
Rose Wanyanya, age 24, interned at DFCU Bank. She rotated through several areas of the bank, learning about day-to-day finance operations and building efficiency, business ethics, and marketing skills. Rose was mentored by leaders at DFCU and performed so well that she was offered a position there upon completion of her internship.
A total of twenty-seven of the graduates from the first YouthMap cohort have gained full-time employment to date, thirty-three have set up small businesses, and eight are pursuing further education. Learn more about Rose’s experience by clicking here.
Speaking at the event, Restless Development Uganda Director Jessica Greenhalf, said “Today’s young Ugandans have the potential to drive a new era of development and growth. Through this program, we are working closely with youth, employers, and government to build a flagship model linking talented young people to employment opportunities and positioning them as leaders in the public and private sectors.”
Over 70 participants attended the event, including USAID Mission Director Leslie Reed, graduates from the first YouthMap cohort, government representatives, local business leaders, and YouthMap advisory board members.
For additional information, please contact:
Peter Eriki
Media Program Assistant
U.S. Mission Uganda
Tel: +256-414-306-418×6418
Cell: 0752973372
