Baltimore, Maryland: The International Youth Foundation (IYF) is pleased to announce the official launch of a new employability program in Hungary and Poland that equips high school students with marketable skills in four communities where GE has major operations. The initiative is being funded through a US$1.8 million 3-year grant from the GE Foundation.
Adapted from an already proven model to the special needs of Central European countries undergoing major social transformation, the GE Foundation Life Skills for Employability (GE LSE) program will benefit 10,000 youth and train up to 400 teachers in both countries. It is being implemented locally through two IYF partner organizations, the Foundation for Democratic Youth (DIA) in Hungary, and the Polish Children and Youth Foundation. Students, ranging in age from 14 to 18, will strengthen their personal development, build interpersonal and teamwork skills, and prepare for lifelong success in education and employment. GE LSE is targeting youth in the towns of Gdansk and Lodz in Poland and in Nagykanizsa and Zalaegerszeg in Hungary.
“This GE initiative will make a real difference in these young people’s prospects, by preparing them to compete for jobs not only in their local economies but in the global marketplace as well. It will foster the development of new competencies among the region’s future workforce that will help increase the region’s competitiveness,” said Leslaw Kuzaj, GE’s Central European Regional Executive. “As one of the major global investors and employers in the region, GE as a good corporate citizen, contributes to the development of the communities where we live and work in meaningful ways. For five years we have focused on the development of human capital in Central Europe through several innovative educational programs founded by the GE Foundation and supported by GE volunteers.”
A sustained multi-sector collaboration between officials in the education system, teachers, representatives of GE, local NGOs, and students is seen as critical to the program’s overall impact. Recognizing the integral role that teachers play in the success of this endeavor, GE LSE will provide training to an additional 60 “master teachers” in the life skills curriculum. This intensive training, as well as the development of a teacher “toolkit” that includes a CD demonstrating basic principles for implementation, serve to build the capacity within participating schools and facilitate the possibility of a widespread replication of the program. The program will engage students in 15 vocational and secondary schools in Hungary and more than 9 technical and vocational schools in Poland.
“As a result of this exciting partnership with GE, many more youth in these two countries will gain the practical skills and personal confidence to stay in school and be successful in the job market,” says William S. Reese, President and CEO of the International Youth Foundation.
The programs in Hungary and Poland have incorporated the latest thinking in life skills training, including innovations of project-based learning methods and the promotion of indigenous master trainer capabilities. In addition, GE employees contribute valuable support to the program, including advice in the program’s design and development. GE employees are also planning to serve as volunteers, technical advisors, and consultants.
###
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is Imagination at Work -- a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world’s toughest problems. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.
About the GE Foundation
The GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the General Electric Company, works to strengthen educational opportunity for disadvantaged children and youth globally and supports GE employee and retiree giving and involvement in GE communities around the world.
About the Foundation for Democratic Youth (DIA)
The Foundation for Democratic Youth / Demokratikus Ifjúságért Alapítvány (DIA) is a Hungarian non-political, non-profit organization building a youth service infrastructure for youth ages 14-25 within Hungary. The DIA program model blends youth service, civic education and active learning methodologies so that young people actively learn through direct participation in their communities. In practice, DIA works directly with local youth groups supported by local coordinators. These youth provide volunteer service in their communities while attending weekly reflection sessions to analyze their experiences. DIA has built a supportive framework around these local activities that include trainings, conferences, financial support, exchange programs and thematic materials among others. For more information, please visit www.i-dia.org.
About the Polish Children and Youth Foundation
The Polish Children and Youth Foundation (PCYF) is dedicated to the well-rounded development of Polish children and youth, ages 5 to 20. PCYF accomplishes its mission through furthering social awareness of children and youth issues in Poland; increasing local support for children and youth initiatives; supporting youth-led activities; replicating "best practices" for children and youth in Poland; and developing partnerships with community-based organizations and local governments for children and youth. PCYF's principle areas of interest include promoting equal educational opportunities, preventing alienation among the young, promoting cross-cultural tolerance, and preventing aggression among youth. About 250,000 children and youth and 3,000 teachers and educators benefit from various Foundation activities every year. For more information, please visit www.pcyf.org.pl.
About the International Youth Foundation (IYF)
The International Youth Foundation is a global non-profit organization uniquely dedicated to preparing young people to be healthy, productive, and engaged citizens. Founded in 1990, IYF’s worldwide network of partner organizations has grown to more than 70 countries, helping young people shape their futures through proven programs that tie education to work, improve employability, and enable them to play a positive role in their communities. IYF collaborates with businesses, governments and civil society organizations to build effective, sustainable and scalable programs that positively impact the lives of young people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.iyfnet.org.
Contact:
Jack Boyson, Director, GE Life Skills for Employability Program
Tel.: +1-410-951-1539
Email: jackB@iyfnet.org |
