International Workers’ Day: Creating jobs strengthens communities
To mark this year’s International Workers’ Day we celebrate serving workers, employees and entrepreneurs for almost three decades. When youth, women and refugees have access to employment opportunities, communities are strengthened and economies can advance. Take a look at some of the ways we support workers.
Skilling youth for the digital economy
In many places that SPARK works, there is a skills mismatch between what young people are taught at higher education and the needs of the labour market. By connecting private sector employers with universities and vocational education institutions, we facilitate youth to gain access to sought-after technical and soft skills that lead to jobs in high-demand fields, such as in the tech sector.
Ahmad Al Hariri, is a newly qualified Front-end Developer from Syria. The 26-year-old recently graduated from a tech skills boot camp in Türkiye where, as well as gaining technical skills, he is supported by a career coach for six months to help him gain employment after graduation.
Helping small businesses to access bank loans
In many fragile and conflict-affected countries, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are vital engines of growth. However, business-owners, particularly within agricultural sectors, often face huge problems accessing loans and financial services from banks, who demand high collateral requirements, excessive documentation and loans with high-interest rates. SPARK works with local governments and financial institutions to enhance their capabilities in serving MSMEs, creating tailor-made financial products. In Rwanda, a recent collaboration with Equity Bank resulted in access to finance for 311 MSMEs in diverse sectors such as small livestock, agriculture, fisheries, construction materials and cross-border trade. In just one year, over 1,000 business owners have been trained, and 311 MSMEs have received loans, resulting in 300 direct and 600 indirect jobs. The project offers insurance coverage for women’s loans, and women represent 70% of participants. This de-risks MSMEs for future financial access, enabling them to grow sustainably.
Nurturing high-potential startups
Supporting promising, high-potential entrepreneurs and their startups with coaching, access to finance and markets is crucial for creating new job opportunities. Rahaf Abu Aisheh is a beauty enthusiast who co-founded Salon Beauty Booking, an online application revolutionising the Arab beauty industry. Through SPARK’s startup support services, Rahaf received training, coaching, and mentoring, allowing her to access financial grants and grow her business. Since 2021, Salon has generated more than $280,000 in revenue and has created seven new job opportunities. By focusing on startups in tech, entrepreneurs become employers, providing job opportunities for their communities.
Coaching SMEs to better access markets
SPARK supports SMEs in fragile regions to create jobs by training and coaching them to grow, enter new markets, digitalise their processes and access investment opportunities. Taghamuta Agro is a youth-led entrepreneurial venture based in Tunisia founded in 2020. With SPARK’s training and coaching, the company has established a supply chain that involves purchasing products from local farmers and transforming them into high-quality consumer goods. With their commitment to ethical and sustainable practices, Taghamuta has not only built a successful business but also promoted local agriculture, supported livelihoods, and provided consumers with healthy products.
Job placements and internships for vulnerable youth
SPARK supports youth to gain much-needed work experience by facilitating internships and job placements within the private sector. In Lebanon, a tech boot camp provides specialised training that helps graduates find employment despite the country’s economic crisis. SPARK has partnered with SE Factory and so far, 24 graduates have been hired by companies in various countries, including Lebanon, France, UAE, and Canada.