The U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), launched a higher education career development program in Maputo and Manica Provinces.   University students around the world face challenges in securing employment immediately after graduation. In Mozambique, this is mainly due to the lack of opportunities to gain the skills and applicable work experience that the private sector requires to compete in a global economy.  Women and persons with disabilities face particular difficulties, including gender biases and accessibility issues.  To help respond to these challenges, the U.S. Government will partner with three Mozambican higher education institutions and private businesses to expand career guidance, skill development, and work readiness.

The USAID Higher Education Career Development Initiative is a collaborative partnership between Michigan State University, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Instituto Superior Politecnico de Manica, and Universidade Pungue.  This project will increase access to quality employability services through the development of sustainable Career Development Centers throughout Mozambique.  These centers will rely on the expertise of leaders from Michigan State University to establish training and activities that ensure students, including women and persons with disabilities, graduate with the technical, entrepreneurial, and soft skills to successfully enter and thrive in the current and future labor market.  In addition to improving the skills of individual students, the program will also build sustainable ties between universities and the Mozambican business sector so that universities can continually adapt their course work and training to meet the demands of the job market.  Career Development Center staff will also gain in-depth knowledge of youth development, gender biases and accessibility issues, human resource issues, and partnership building through training.

USAID Mission Director Helen Pataki said, “The U.S. Government is proud to support this program.  As young Mozambicans increasingly engage in the global and regional economies, this program will help bridge the gap between youth and employers by better connecting educational institutions with the changing needs of the private sector and giving students information and skills needed to succeed.”

USAID is investing more than $2 million for these career development centers over the next four years. Support for education and employment is a critical component of the broader U.S. Government assistance in Mozambique.  In close collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Mozambique, the U.S. Government provides more than $500 million in annual assistance to improve the quality of education and healthcare, promote economic prosperity, and support the overall development of the nation.