Written by Hannah Lineberger, CFK Africa Program Officer, Research and Evaluation.
At CFK Africa, we’re committed to using data to drive change. We want to make sure that our programs work for the people they’re intended to serve. And if they don’t? We want to learn how to make them better. This is one of the many reasons we conduct regular evaluation activities. We measure what matters, reflect on what might not be working, and hear directly from program participants.
CFK recently conducted an endline evaluation for our TechCraft workforce readiness program, which equips youth with the skills and support needed to build careers they care about. During the program pilot, we invited youth to pursue training in one of two tracks: Apprenticeship or DigiHub. We paired youth in the Apprenticeship track with Master Craftsmen where they learned hands-on skills in trades like light vehicle mechanics, electrical installation, food and beverage production, plumbing and pipe fitting, hairdressing, carpentry and joinery, dressmaking and beauty therapy. Youth in the DigiHub track focused on honing their digital skills in areas like data annotation, web research, transcription, and analysis, and CFK supported them in securing online “freelance gig” opportunities.
The results of the pilot were promising. Before participating in TechCraft, 62% of surveyed youth reported being unemployed. By the end of the training, unemployment dropped to 5%. Confidence, skills, and incomes all increased, and 70% of youth reported saving money.
But this was only the pilot.
Our TechCraft team identified challenges during implementation, and we knew there were opportunities to make the program even better. So, we sat down with youth and employers to hear directly from them.
Tooling up for Success
What we learned: While 95% of youth in the Apprenticeship track said they were working, some struggled to take on large projects. 12% reported starting or expanding their own businesses, illustrating an interest in entrepreneurship. We dug deeper and discovered that one of the biggest barriers to youth obtaining large contracts or launching their own businesses was a lack of access to tools. The cost of professional-grade equipment was simply too high for youth just starting out in their careers, and it was holding them back from reaching their full potential.
What we’re doing: We launched a toolkit library where youth can rent the tools they need at a low cost. It’s a simple, sustainable solution that provides youth with access to tools and gives CFK a small fund to cover regular tool maintenance and replacement. 18 young people have already checked out tools for work projects.
Partnering to Build Portfolios
What we learned: After completing TechCraft training, 100% of surveyed youth in the DigiHub track were confident in their skills, and 89% had found work. Still, only 21% felt that their income was stable. They were quickly learning that skills aren’t enough in the competitive gig economy. They were talented, but they needed opportunities to build a portfolio and show companies what they could offer.
What we’re doing: We’ve sought partnerships with mid-career freelancers who have established portfolios and have landed big gigs that require a team. These freelancers now subcontract parts of their projects to our DigiHub trainees, providing them with mentorship, real-world experience, income, and something to show future clients. To date, we’ve tested this process with one mid-career freelancer who has landed 10 gigs and supported 30 youth in building their portfolios.
Turning Insight into Impact
These are just two examples of how CFK is using data to drive change for youth in informal settlements. We don’t only collect data to prove a program works; we collect it because we believe there is always room for improvement. Ultimately, we aim to turn insights into impact for the communities we serve, and we can’t do that without centering their voices every step of the way.
We are seeking new partners to expand the TechCraft pilot program to additional cohorts. If you are interested in providing funding or helping connect youth with job opportunities, please reach out to Beth-Ann Kutchma at bethann.kutchma@cfkafrica.org.