GAN Projects
Through our donor-funded projects we raise awareness of the advantages and benefits linked to work-based learning (WBL), offer insights and guidance on the skills needed to thrive in the Future of Work, and advocate for effective policies and practices.
Our worldwide presence through GAN Networks means that we can design and execute activities tailored to local needs and circumstance. At the same time, GAN Global and partners bring international best practice and experience, while our corporate members ensure that business practices are incorporated.
Our projects include research on existing policies and best practices for WBL, policy advocacy in favour of WBL, and practical activities aimed at promoting uptake of WBL. We focus particularly on strengthening and building our country networks and other country level activities.
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Small Island States Apprenticeship Study
GAN Global received support from the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Youth Program to conduct a study on apprenticeships in small states in the Pacific and Caribbean.
In 2021, GAN Global received support from the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Youth Program to conduct a study on apprenticeships in eight small states in the Pacific and Caribbean.
At the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Heads agreed on the need to invest in a systems approach to support young people to access meaningful and decent work opportunities, including through skills building, entrepreneurship, apprenticeships, and better data to target interventions effectively.
Strengthening the capacity of apprenticeship systems is key to equipping young people with the skills to pursue entrepreneurship and self-employment and to meeting the needs identified by employers as necessary for growth and increased productivity. Strong apprenticeship systems also have the potential to reduce the skills gap across the Pacific and the Caribbean.
Improved Labor Integration of Vulnerable Youth in Armenia through Apprenticeship
In July 2020, in partnership with the Armenia-based NGO, Miassine, GAN Global won funds from the City of Geneva to implement the “Improved Labor Integration of Vulnerable Youth in Armenia through Apprenticeship” project.
In July 2020, in partnership with the Armenia-based NGO, Miassine, GAN Global won funds from the City of Geneva to implement the Improved Labor Integration of Vulnerable Youth in Armenia through Apprenticeship project.
Miassine is implementing the project in the country’s six regions, Chirak, Lori, Tavoush, Gegharkunik, Syunik, and Erevan for 500 youth from socially vulnerable backgrounds, particularly for those who grew up in orphanages. Throughout the project, the youth will benefit from personalized and work-based career guidance to strengthen their ability to choose a profession and undertake an apprenticeship towards it. Simultaneously, employers benefit by seeing the advantages that an apprentice can bring to their business.
The project receives technical support from the ILO and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland (HES-SO Valais).
Promoting Apprenticeship as a Path for Youth Employment in Argentina, Costa Rica, and Kenya
The GAN USDOL-funded project worked directly with employers and governments in Argentina, Costa Rica, and Kenya to promote work-based learning to support youth unemployment. The project created and strengthened private sector networks promoting WBL, including apprenticeships and internships, in all three countries. It helped businesses acquire a deeper understanding of WBL and launch quality training programs while ensuring these programs were accessible to disadvantaged groups.
In September 2016, the US Department of Labor (USDOL) awarded GAN Global a grant to implement a project titled Promoting Apprenticeships as a Path for Youth Employment in Argentina, Costa Rica and Kenya through GAN Networks. The key results of the project are as follows:
GAN Argentina and GAN Costa Rica
- Established two highly functional GAN Networks in Argentina and Costa Rica, which offer technical advice, training and support to public and private entities interested in developing work-based learning (WBL) opportunities for youth
- Fueled growing interest in GAN’s work and WBL throughout Latin America with a series of educational videos and events
- GAN Argentina webinars
- GAN Costa Rica educational videos
- GAN Latin American conference Formando el Futuro
- Developed research on important issues for WBL in Argentina and Costa Rica (available under Reports)
- Provided training to advance technical understanding of WBL, including cost, delivery, set-up and curriculum development, like the Training of Trainers in Argentina in collaboration with UIA and the Argentine-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Argentina)
- Prompted increased private sector interest in diversifying talent pipelines, e.g. in Argentina by supporting a campaign on women in manufacturing and funded research focused on women in logistics
GAN Kenya
- Produced The Creative Process documentary highlighting the educational and skilling pathways of seven Kenya-based artists and seeded the creation of a mentorship network for young creatives in Kenya
Skills for Employability
In 2021, the GAN implemented a Microsoft Philanthropies-funded project focused on promoting digital skilling for vulnerable underserved groups in Australia, New Zealand, and Colombia; and on providing lawmakers and policy influencers with a set of real-world examples and recommendations to advance digital transformation opportunities, in particular when these are related to work-based learning programmes that help vulnerable groups with their school-to-work transition or re-insertion in the labour market.
In June 2020, Microsoft launched a Global Skills Initiative to help 25 million people worldwide acquire the digital skills needed in a COVID-19 economy. As part of this initiative, GAN launched a project to promote digital skilling programmes – making use of Microsoft’s existing and freely available tools – for underserved groups, including women and indigenous groups, in Australia, New Zealand, and Colombia.
Our alliance with Microsoft Philanthropies was intended to close equity and digital skills gaps, create new learning opportunities and prepare human talent for a constantly changing world of work.
By developing a deep understanding of the digital skilling sector and legislative framework in each of the project countries, we were able to carry on advocacy activities at national levels.
Apprenticeship Strategy for Agriculture in Lebanon
This research project reviewed current apprenticeship practices in Lebanon, with a strong focus on TVET in the agriculture sector. As a result of this review, and drawing upon international best practices, a recommendation was made for the most relevant apprenticeship model for the Ministry of Agriculture.
This research project reviewed current apprenticeship practices in Lebanon, with a strong focus on TVET in the agriculture sector. As a result of this review, and drawing upon international best practices, a recommendation was made for the most relevant apprenticeship model for the Ministry of Agriculture.
Promoting Apprenticeships as a Path for Youth Employment in Tanzania and Malawi
With the financial support of the Mastercard Foundation, the GAN worked with employers’ federations in Malawi and Tanzania to assess the potential and set up Networks in their respective countries where to promote apprenticeships as viable pathway to youth employment .
GAN Global worked with employers’ federations in Malawi and Tanzania to assess the potential for, and eventually establish, GAN Malawi (launched in March 2017) and GAN Tanzania (established in May 2017). The aim in doing so was to promote apprenticeships as a means to facilitating entry into the workforce in two countries with high levels of youth unemployment.
Outputs of the project include:
- GAN Networks established in Malawi and Tanzania
- National level scoping exercise and country assessments on apprenticeships policies and status
- Documented good practices and toolkits for employers tailored to the national context
Toolkit for Employers Tanzania