What We Do
Youth Employment through Education
Education
Digital Skills Training Programs
With 92% of jobs globally requiring digital skills, yet approximately 30% of workers in low-income countries lacking basic digital competencies, the Avasant Foundation is closing this critical gap. Since its inception, the Foundation has empowered youth by providing them with free access to comprehensive digital skills training. The Digital Skills Program is meticulously designed based on country-specific labor market analyses, ensuring that participants are equipped with the precise skills needed to excel in high-demand sectors. By focusing on emerging areas like data analytics, AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, the program enhances candidates’ employability in a rapidly evolving job market.
Additionally, the Foundation’s inclusive approach ensures that vulnerable populations—including women, people with disabilities, and those from underserved communities—are not left behind. With over 90% of graduates securing jobs or advancing their careers within six months, the program not only fosters individual success but also drives economic growth and innovation in local communities. By bridging the digital divide, Avasant Foundation is preparing the next generation to thrive in a digital-first economy, contributing to the long-term socio-economic development of the countries it serves.”
Source: 1. ILO, Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024
Employment
In low-income countries, where over 64.9 million youth remain out of the labor force, the need for accessible and relevant training is urgent. Avasant rises to this challenge by delivering tailored programs that equip youth with critical, future-ready skills in fields like digital marketing, data analytics, AI, and cybersecurity. These programs are designed based on rigorous labor market analyses, ensuring that graduates are prepared to meet the specific demands of employers in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Avasant’s impact is substantial: 93% of its graduates find employment within three months, a testament to the quality and relevance of the training provided. Moreover, 25% of those already employed experience career advancement, taking on leadership roles or expanding their scope of work due to their enhanced skill sets. Meanwhile, 12% of graduates take the entrepreneurial route, using their new expertise to launch and grow successful businesses. Others leverage their education to pursue higher academic achievements, further reinforcing Avasant’s role in creating long-term pathways to success.
By addressing these disparities in employment opportunities, Avasant not only improves individual career outcomes but also contributes to economic growth, fostering innovation and resilience in underserved communities.
Source: ILO, Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024
Entrepreneurship
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up 90% of businesses globally and contribute over 40% of GDP in emerging economies. Recognizing the vast potential in this sector, the Avasant Digital Entrepreneurship Skills (ADES) program is strategically designed to empower entrepreneurs, fueling economic growth by equipping them with essential digital and business management tools.
The ADES program not only enhances business competitiveness but provides a transformative journey for aspiring entrepreneurs. By offering resources and practical training, it helps turn innovative ideas into viable and sustainable ventures. Digital entrepreneurship is a powerful catalyst for growth, enabling traditional brick-and-mortar businesses to thrive in the digital age. ADES equips these businesses with the digital skills needed to leverage online platforms for marketing, sales, and customer engagement.
By embracing digital technologies, SMEs can streamline operations, broaden their audience reach, and significantly boost their competitiveness in today’s rapidly evolving market. Through the ADES program, Avasant ensures that entrepreneurs have the tools and knowledge to succeed, thereby contributing to broader economic growth and innovation in emerging markets.
Geographies of work
Africa
An estimated 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by the end of the decade. In response to this urgent demand, Avasant and its Foundation have been at the forefront of addressing this challenge, playing a pivotal role in catalyzing the creation of over 6,000 new jobs across the region. By collaborating with governments, non-profits, and the ICT industry, Avasant’s initiatives have driven impactful solutions that meet both economic and social needs.
Avasant Foundation partnered with the Rockefeller Foundation through the Digital Jobs Africa initiative, focusing on creating employment opportunities for vulnerable populations. This initiative not only aimed to bridge the digital divide but also fostered economic development across the continent by empowering underserved communities with the skills necessary to thrive in a technology-driven job market.
A core component of the initiative involved educating businesses on the importance of impact sourcing—the strategic hiring of vulnerable, local youth. By demonstrating the business value of this approach, Avasant helped companies see that employing youth from disadvantaged backgrounds was not only a socially responsible move but also a smart economic strategy. As a result, businesses across Africa have embraced the need to tap into this talent pool, further driving sustainable job creation and fostering long-term economic resilience in the region.
- Source: .Digital Skills For Youth Employment In Africa, 2023 Include Platform, ILO
Asia
Research shows that 72.2% of underserved youth in Asia have no or low levels of advanced digital skills, highlighting a critical gap that must be addressed for sustainable economic growth and job creation. Avasant Foundation is committed to tackling this challenge by supporting initiatives that expand access to technology, quality education, and sustainable livelihoods through employment and entrepreneurship across the region.
In partnership with renowned organizations like the America India Foundation’s Digital Equalizer program, Pratham, and Akshay Patra, Avasant Foundation has significantly amplified its impact. These collaborations have directly benefited over 50,000 students, providing them with essential digital skills and enhancing their employability in an increasingly tech-driven world.
Avasant’s Global Strategy team has also played a crucial role, advising governments, ICT employers, and industry groups in countries such as India, Malaysia, China, and the Philippines. Their expertise drives the development of initiatives aimed at boosting economic growth and creating job opportunities. Through in-depth labor market analysis and tailored digital training programs, the Foundation ensures that youth and other underserved populations are equipped with the skills needed to compete in the evolving digital economy.
This collaborative approach, which combines strategic advisement with on-the-ground partnerships, ensures the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of Avasant Foundation’s efforts, fostering not only job creation but also building a foundation for inclusive, technology-enabled growth across Asia. By addressing the digital skills gap, Avasant is playing a transformative role in enabling youth to contribute to their nations’ economic development and
preparing them for future opportunities in the global digital marketplace.
Latin America & Caribbean
“Only one in three youth (15–24 years old) from 10 LAC countries is on track to acquire digital skills, ranking below the world average”6.
Thus, Avasant Foundation has been deeply committed to advancing digital skills, employment opportunitiOnly one in three youth (15–24 years old) from 10 Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries is on track to acquire digital skills, placing the region below the global average in preparing its next generation for the digital economy. In response to this challenge, Avasant Foundation has been deeply committed to advancing digital skills, creating employment opportunities, and fostering economic development across the LAC region.
Avasant Foundation’s programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of various LAC countries, including Guyana, The Bahamas, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Haiti, equipping thousands of individuals, particularly underserved youth, displaced workers, and correctional candidates, with essential digital skills. These initiatives have not only provided participants with job-ready competencies but have also led to meaningful employment in technology-driven industries and fostered entrepreneurship, enabling participants to start and scale their businesses in the digital space.
In Guyana, for example, the Digital Skills and Entrepreneurship Training empowered over 550 candidates from 2020 to 2023, allowing them to pivot into new careers and launch entrepreneurial ventures in fields such as e-commerce, web development, and digital marketing. Meanwhile, in The Bahamas, displaced workers and unemployed individuals have benefited from digital upskilling programs, helping them regain economic stability and re-enter the workforce with stronger skill sets.
Moreover, Avasant Foundation’s commitment to correctional rehabilitation in Jamaica is a testament to its inclusive approach, using digital skills as a tool for both employment and reintegration into society. These programs focus on providing second chances for vulnerable groups, allowing them to develop a new sense of purpose and economic independence.
Through these efforts, Avasant Foundation has played a critical role in strengthening the region’s digital skills training capabilities. The Foundation’s strategic partnerships with local governments, NGOs, and the private sector have ensured the development of sustainable and scalable programs, maturing the region’s business ecosystems and enhancing export potential. By aligning training programs with industry demands, Avasant Foundation is helping build a more competitive workforce that is better equipped to navigate the rapidly changing global economy.
Ultimately, these initiatives contribute to the long-term economic development of the LAC region, positioning its youth and other vulnerable populations to thrive in a technology-driven world.
- Source: International Youth Day: What Are the Transversal Skills Every Youth Should Have? – IADB Blog, 2024
United States
The Avasant Foundation has significantly impacted the USA through its comprehensive training programs and strategic partnerships. According to reports, “92% of jobs require digital skills, yet one-third of workers possess low or no digital skills due to historic underinvestment and structural inequities.” To address this issue, the Avasant Digital Skills Training USA Region initiative bridges the digital skills gap by offering training in job-related soft and technical skills, thereby promoting digital adoption and reducing inequalities in digital proficiency.
Additionally, collaborations with prestigious institutions like UCLA, USC, and The TiE Young Entrepreneur (TYE) have expanded the Foundation’s reach, fostering innovation and research excellence. The Foundation’s commitment to social responsibility is evident in its efforts to guide partners like TiE in becoming members of the UN Global Compact and initiating Social Responsibility & Sustainability Reporting aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Collectively, these initiatives enhance the Foundation’s mission to create sustainable livelihoods and stimulate economic growth.
- Source: National Skills Coalition, 2023 Report
UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
