Across Latin America and the Caribbean, approximately one in five youth ages 15 to 24 are neither working nor in school. Yet, companies across the region are struggling to fill entry-level positions because young professionals lack the skills they need. This disconnect is due in large part to the gap between the skills that youth learn in school and the skills that private-sector employers need.

With funding from the FHI Foundation, FHI 360 and Results for Development conducted a 10-month investigation of the school-to-work transition in Colombia, the Dominican Republic and El Salvador. The study aimed to better understand the pervasive skills gap across the region and to identify innovative education models and mechanisms that are making youth more employable. Building on the regional study, FHI 360 developed in-depth reports on the skills gap in Colombia and the Dominican Republic. A report for El Salvador is pending.

This infographic highlights the study’s main components, including the education and employment context in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as key research findings and policy recommendations to improve communication and collaboration among educators and employers.

FHI 360 will continue to use the findings from this research to improve the effectiveness of its post-primary education interventions.

Read more about our post-primary education programming.