They have placed their trust in us

Every year, 5 to 10 apprentices finish their apprenticeship at our school. The integration into independent working life is a great challenge. For the last class, who finished their apprenticeship in February 2023, we were able to count on the support of COOEVA for the first time. The program provided made it easier for the young trainees to enter professional life. 
A regular exchange via Skype, email and telephone facilitated the implementation of the program on site. Thanks to her experience in West Africa, Ms. Ukelo was able to respond to the various challenges in Guinea and provide concrete assistance. The entire COOEVA intervention can be considered a success. On behalf of SAM global, I would like to sincerely thank COOEVA and Mrs. Ukelo for their support!
​
Sandro, SAM global, April 2023, Guinée
(translated from French)​​

During a conference of the Nexus Skills and Jobs program, Catherine Ukelo gave us a presentation on the issue of professional integration of young people in Africa.
She clearly indicated the obstacles coming from the young people themselves and those coming from their environment. The presentation, based on the experiences of young people from several countries, helped the audience better understand that professional integration of young people goes beyond acquisition of skills. 

Hassane Laouali, Policy Officer for Youth Skills and Jobs, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, May 2023, Niger

​

In October 2019, I had the opportunity to participate in a training provided by Catherine Ukelo, then Regional Advisor to Swisscontact.
I had been working in another project and had experienced the limitations of integrating young Laureates from Vocational Training Centers. I remember expressing to my previous employer my need for training in coaching and support techniques for young people wishing to be professionally integrated, whether in salaried employment or self-employment.
I knew I had found what I was looking for right after the initial training given by Catherine. With a few consultants working on the project, I was then able to benefit from several short online trainings, and then a new face-to-face training with her. Customized trainings, based on the needs we expressed to her.
The results of the experimentation over the last 3 years have been spectacularly good and motivating. The young people who have benefited from the coaching and support techniques learned have succeeded in their training and integration: their testimonies are real sources of inspiration for other young people.

Françoise N., Swisscontact Burundi, April 2023
(translated from French)