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Training and certification for decent employment in Guatemala (angl.)

The project strengthens the technical and soft skills of vulnerable populations in Guatemala, including women, young people, Indigenous communities, rural populations, returned migrants, and persons with disabilities. Through quality technical training, skills certification, employment coaching and last-mile employment services, it helps participants access better economic opportunities and decent jobs. The project also aims to strengthen human capital in strategic sectors and territories prioritised by Global Gateway, with a particular focus on green and digital skills.
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Ciudad de Guatemala
14.6349149
-90.5068824
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Quetzaltenango
14.8446068
-91.5231866
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Alta Verapaz
15.5942883
-90.14949879999999
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Baja Verapaz
15.1255867
-90.37483540000001
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Petén
16.912033
-90.2995785
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Zacapa
14.966528
-89.5254702
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Chiquimula
14.7965052
-89.54644789999999
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El Progreso
Guatemala
Durée du projet
2025 - 2028
Financé par
  • Union européenne
Contracting authority: Ministry of Economy of Guatemala

In Guatemala, three out of four economically active people work in the informal sector (75%), without contracts, social protection or stable incomes. In addition, nearly 60% of the population lives in poverty. These conditions disproportionately affect women, young people, Indigenous populations and those living in rural areas, where access to quality technical training is limited. Without skills that are recognised by the labour market, many people face significant barriers to accessing formal and better-paid employment.

The project

The Training, Technical Capacity Building and Skills Certification Project for beneficiaries of the Government of Guatemala’s Decent Employment Programme, implemented by Swisscontact and funded by the European Union, helps reduce skills gaps and barriers to accessing decent employment in Guatemala, particularly for young people, women and other vulnerable groups.

The project combines employment coaching, market-relevant technical training, skills certification, soft skills development and job placement support, aligning training provision with labour market demand. It also strengthens the capacities of companies and institutions to promote inclusive hiring practices and ensure the sustainability of results.

The project prioritises women, young people, Indigenous communities, rural populations, returned migrants and persons with disabilities. It works closely with the private sector, public institutions, training providers and local organisations to connect training opportunities with real employment prospects.

Its innovative approach combines territorial adaptation, demand-driven training, personalised support, and the promotion of green and digital skills linked to the strategic sectors prioritised by the Global Gateway initiative.

Project objective

To improve access to decent employment for vulnerable populations, helping reduce informality and poverty through technical and vocational training and skills certification, with a focus on green, circular, digital and energy-related sectors.

Key innovation

The project’s innovation lies in the integration and territorial adaptation of employability services. Its main features include:

  • Working with companies: Collaboration with the private sector focuses on strengthening inclusive hiring practices, diversity management and human resource development, including the use of artificial intelligence.
  • Demand-driven training: Labour market studies and business roundtables inform the selection of occupations and training courses, while also taking into account the interests and profiles of participants.
  • Personalised support: Employment coaching links self-awareness and life goals with training choices and job search strategies.
  • Skills for the green and digital transition: In line with Global Gateway priorities, the training offer incorporates sustainability, circular economy, digitalisation and energy-related skills based on identified labour market demand.

Key activities

  • Conduct labour market analyses and identify priority sectors, occupations, and training and certification needs in each target region.
  • Establish partnerships and recruit participants through identification, profiling and selection processes.
  • Provide employment coaching and career guidance to strengthen motivation and support the development of training and career pathways.
  • Deliver technical training scholarships with practical, market-relevant content aligned with private sector demand.
  • Assess and certify occupational skills, including complementary training to address identified skills gaps.
  • Develop soft skills and job readiness through the Empower Yourself for the Future diploma programme and workshops on job search techniques, CV writing and interview preparation.
  • Facilitate job placement through private-sector partnerships, employment intermediation services, job fairs, employment kiosks and work-based learning opportunities.
  • Strengthen the capacities of companies and institutional partners by promoting inclusive hiring practices and raising awareness of decent employment.
  • Monitor participant pathways and results, provide post-placement follow-up, and document lessons learned to improve and sustain project interventions.

Expected results 2025 - 2028

  • 3,400 people participate in technical training programmes.
  • 600 people obtain an occupational skills certification.
  • 4,000 people are reached through project activities.
  • 1,200 people secure employment.