USAID's AfterSchool Support for Teens activity prepaes Kosovo youth for life and work in the 21^st century.  This five-year activity aims to develop Kosovo youth's employability and entrepreneurial skills positive attitude for their future through:  

DEVELOPING LIFE AND WORK COMPETENCES

The activity supports the implementation of Kosovo’s Curriculum Framework and Core Curriculum for Grades 10 – 11 by assisting schools in the curriculum area of life and work.  This includes careers services, the use of technology, workforce skills, and entrepreneurship.  This activity also helps schools implement the curriculum's practical project activities by providing modern technology; training and mentoring for teachers; and by establishing Career and Enterprise Hubs in partner schools. 

CAREERS AND ENTERPRISE HUBS

Career and Enterprise Hubs are classroom spaces transformed with parental and community support into modern facilities that mirror 21^st Century workspaces. These hubs have several functions: 

• Career Corners, designated spaces containing information, computer access to online portals;
• Makerspaces, a workspace equipped with modern technology where students can participate, during and after school hours, in practical creative projects related to science, technology, and arts;
• Resource Center, a storage area for modern technology that facilitates practical project-based learning, aimed at developing workplace-related skills in all curriculum subjects that provides teachers with access to scientific equipment, such as microscopes, sensors and probes, and technology such as video cameras; and
• Presentation Facilities, spaces with a wall-mounted television for presentations and tablet computers on which teachers and students can prepare presentations before displaying them wirelessly on the television. 

Supporting careers and entrepreneurial education

The program assists the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) in implementing its careers system and developing entrepreneurship skills by establishing careers corners in partner schools, as described; enhancing MEST’s careers' portal with video materials and other content; and developing an accredited professional development course in career education for teachers.

Connecting schools with employers and the community

After School Support for Teens activity helps schools identify businesses interested in supporting the development of workforce-related skills in young people through Community YouthMapping@ , a patented online resource that enables young people to conduct community based surveys, analyze the results, and prepare reports.  USAID trains teachers and NGOs to use this tool, providing them with the skills to become change agents and productive contributors within their communities, and connects schools to local business to provide work experience for high school students. 

Key RESULTS

• Agreements reached with sixteen municipalities and sixteen schools, including Pristina, Gjakova, Kamenica, Gjilan, Viti, Hani i Elezit, Vushtrri, Fushë Kosovo, Peja, Obiliq, Prizren, Suhareka, Lipjan, Rahovec and Ferizaj. Makerspaces will operate in these schools.
• Development of training modules and training of teachers, with trained teachers implementing new methods by engaging students in project-based learning activities.
• Student technician club and student career club created in all partner schools.
• Students gaining knowledge and support in establishing enterprises.
• Students recieve career guidance through in-class activities and work-practice opportunities.
• All training modules are being conducted online as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Project Duration:     June 2017 – June 2022

Partner:                        Kosova Education Center (KEC)

Contact:                        Antigona Mustafa