USAID and Microsoft partner to debut youth employment platform in Sri Lanka

Youlead.lk, the U.S. Agency for International Development-funded (USAID) youth employment and entrepreneurship technology platform, recently made its debut in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The platform was made in partnership with Microsoft in an effort to offer diverse resources to national youths preparing to enter the workforce.

USAID is supporting the platform via the $12 million YouLead project and YouLead is implemented by the International Executive Service Corps (IESC), a US non-profit founded by David Rockefeller.

The platform will disseminate vital information about vocational training, employment opportunities across the country to accelerate opportunities to train youth and link them to available jobs. Also, youlead.lk will essentially provide career testing and guidance, interview preparation, training opportunities, on-line courses, mentorship, job matching, and even support to get a loan.

USAID-supported YouLead has gathered a consortium of international and Sri Lankan experts to add content and ensure the sustainability of the platform. Chief among these are the ServYouth Foundation USA and HeadStart (Pvt.) Ltd. USAID Mission Director for Sri Lanka and Maldives Reed J.Aeschliman speaking at the launch said, “USAID is committed to introducing cutting edge initiatives that contribute to the education, health and employment of youth across the world.

He said young people are critical to global stability, economic growth and the development of today.

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