With over half of its population under 30, Guatemala faces a pressing need to equip young people with skills for a rapidly evolving economy. GAN Guatemala promotes work-based learning as a tool to address youth unemployment and skills mismatch. Through partnerships with employers, universities, government, and civil society, the network advocates for dual education and places students with practical training opportunities.
Launched
2018
Hosted by
Comité Coordinador de Asociaciones Agrícolas, Comerciales, Industriales y Financieras (CACIF)
Focus areas
Dual Education
Policy Advocacy
Migration
Youth Employability
Inclusion
Website
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Key Achievements
- Developed and launched the first Business Toolkit for WBL implementation in Guatemala to guide companies.
- Hosted a webinar on the future of dual education.
- Launched Educacion Dual GT, a bi-monthly publication on dual education, , creating a platform for knowledge-sharing and advocacy.
- Partnered with World Vision Guatemala to expand WBL opportunities for youth.
- Initiated WBL project in Alta Verapaz with Swisscontact and Fundación Jorge Toruño.
- Signed landmark cooperation agreements with the Ministry of Economy and Swisscontact to scale WBL initiatives, particularly targeting returning migrants.
- Launched a matching platform, placing young people in employment opportunities generated by GAN Guatemala members.
Projects
Pasantías Laborales Project – Empodera (Alta Verapaz)
2018 – 2023 (Empodera Main Phase); 2024 – 2025 (GAN Guatemala Monitoring and Consolidation Phase).
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A labor insertion initiative in Alta Verapaz providing young people and indigenous women with their first formal work experience.
Exploratory Study on University Labor Supply
2025
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A study analyzing the profile, competencies, and expectations of university students to identify gaps between academic training and the reality of the labor market, promoting data-driven decision-making for educators and employers.
Latest Updates
Thanks to Swisscontact, we had the opportunity to train in barista skills and soft skills; today I feel capable of working in my own business.
Delia F.
Young beneficiary from Cobán, Guatemala
The impact for the company is even greater than the social impact; it creates happier employees who feel part of a family that contributes to society.
Luis Díaz
HR Director, Nestlé Guatemala
