‘With or without diplomas’: How youth education can transform the job market

In Cocody's Abidjan suburb, Franck Gozé engages young individuals in a room adorned with vibrant pink walls, imparting knowledge that extends beyond the conventional training session. Gozé founded Youth Education in 2015, driven by his own experiences of limited educational opportunities and the challenges of pursuing ambitions due to those obstacles.

Having worked in mining and oil sectors, Gozé transitioned into education, recognizing that young people require support to discover opportunities beyond their qualifications.

Gozé's methodology begins with comprehending each young person's aspirations and capabilities while understanding employers' needs. Securing a job is a crucial milestone, but the impact continues once employed. A dedicated employment counsellor monitors the trainee's attendance, progress in training, CV improvement, and connects them with suitable companies. Following placement, counsellors follow up with the company to assess the young person's performance, successes, and challenges.

The issue extends beyond finding vacancies. A 2026 report by the African Futures and Innovation Programme indicates that, as of 2023, 56.7% of the Ivorian population falls within the 15–64 working-age bracket, a figure projected to rise to 61.6% by 2043. The UNDP reported an unemployment rate of 3.9% for the 15–24 age group in 2024, while World Bank data from 2022 revealed that 18.8% were neither employed nor engaged in education or training.

The International Labour Organization found that more than 97% of employed young people aged 15–29 held informal jobs in 2022. These statistics underscore the limitations of relying solely on job numbers to gauge the situation.

Individuals like N'Guessan Béraudy Stéphane and Traoré Salimata exemplify the transformative power of Youth Education. Stéphane, who spent a year unemployed before joining the program, struggled to showcase his skills and seize opportunities. Youth Education helped him develop vital communication, leadership, and decision-making skills, empowering him to manage various aspects of a local company, including logistics, inventory, and procurement.

Salimata, who volunteered with the organization and faced six months of unemployment, now manages procurement at Youth Education, overseeing administration, programmes, and accounting. She credits Youth Education for broadening her experience in administration, programme management, and accounting, as well as handling accounting tasks.

Since its inception, Youth Education has trained 2,200 young people, assisted 1,010 out-of-school students to return to education, and supported 310 sustainable development projects in their communities. The organization's impact extends beyond Abidjan, with incubators in Bouaké, Daloa, and San Pedro, and the AY Solutions centre for youth incubation and employment integration, established in 2021.

Youth Education earned Côte d'Ivoire's National Award of Excellence for Best Youth Organisation in 2022. Aquilas Yao, a consultant-trainer and soft-skills specialist, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the diverse challenges young people face and tailoring programs to address their unique circumstances. Gozé emphasizes that employment support should prioritize decent work, ensuring that young people thrive in their professional lives.