About UsEducation For EmploymentEFE ID-3d352e86-58d6-4c49-8ee2-54e80bc011bfEFE is an affiliated network of locally-run non-profit organizations in MENA that provides youth with training in vocational and professional skills in high demand by the local labor market, and links graduates to jobs. To promote job creation and an alternative pathway to economic opportunity, EFE is piloting youth entrepreneurship programs. MENAMiddle East and North Africa EFE GraduatesGraduates of EFE’s programs have access to the EFE alumni network, which offers opportunities for continuing professional development, civic engagement and leadership, mentoring, networking, and international exchange.GovernmentsTo increase its impact and influence systemic change, EFE works with governments and public education institutions to implement youth employability programs.Public Education InstitutionsEFE NetworkThe EFE Network is comprised of locally-run affiliates in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia and Yemen, with organizations in Spain and the United States that support the regional affiliates through systems, partnerships, program development, and outreach.EgyptJordan Morocco Palestine Tunisia Yemen Spain United StatesArab YouthWhy Arab Youth Employment?MENA has the largest youth population in the world – double the global average – and this presents a unique opportunity for the regional economy to benefit from young energy and talent. Despite the immense potential of the region’s youth, MENA has the highest youth unemployment rates in the world, averaging above 25% regionally with unemployment among certain groups exceeding 60%, and 87% of CEOs in the Middle East believe that the limited supply of candidates with the right skills presents the biggest organizational challenge in the near-term.One of the key contributors to the record high youth unemployment rates in MENA is mismatch between the skills taught in local education systems and the needs of the labor market. Social and gender divides often intensify this labor mismatch. Private-sector employers often are reluctant to hire youth from marginalized socioeconomic backgrounds, and youth in turn do not trust that the system will give them a fair chance. Young women, despite attaining higher levels of education, are especially vulnerable. In some MENA countries the unemployment rate among university-educated women is three to eight times that of university-educated men.Young people need the opportunity to develop the skills that employers seek. They also need to believe that they can add significant value to the companies they work for, and the confidence brought by hands-on learning and on-the-job training.EFE helps young women and men by providing the training they need to secure a job and by creating ongoing opportunities for young women and men to develop their professional skills, build social capital, and engage in their communities. Through thought leadership and partnerships with the private sector and educational institutions and regional reach, EFE is also working to enhance how educational institutions prepare youth for the workforce, and to change attitudes of educators, youth and employers.EFE Global Board of DirectorsRonald BruderFounder, Chair of the BoardBadr JafarManaging Director, the Crescent Group; President, Crescent PetroleumSaid AidiFormer Minister of Vocational Training and Employment, Interim Government of TunisiaSamer KhouryExecutive Vice President, Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC)David ArklessFounder & Chairman of ArkLight Consulting and Founder of The Future Work ConsortiumAldo OlceseChairman, Fincorp MediacionWaleed Al-BanawiDirector, Banawi Industrial GroupDonna E. ShalalaPresident, University of Miami; Professor of Political ScienceOmar ChaabiExecutive Vice President of YNNA Holding (the Chaabi Group)Jeffrey SmithPartner, Arnold & Porter, LLPDr. Alton FryePresidential Senior Fellow Emeritus, Former president of the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington D.CJohn StudzinskiSenior Managing Director, Blackstone GroupDr. Shibley TelhamiAnwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development, University of Maryland, College ParkEFE Global TeamJamie McAuliffePresident and CEOJasmine Nahhas di FlorioVice President, Strategy and PartnershipsTaleb SalhabVice President, Programs and Affiliate ServicesElizabeth VanDerWoudeDirector of FinanceBrad KushnerChief Financial OfficerNoor ShoufaniProgram ManagerPia SaundersMeasuring and Evaluation ManagerMary Eleanor “Mariel” DavisCommunications & Partnerships ManagerSarah LittleProgram AssociateElyse InguantiProgram AssistantTo empower youth with the skills and opportunities they need to build careers that create a better future for themselves, their communities, and the world. ID-580ea9d5-11ec-4929-b0ef-4f7adc8553b9To create economic opportunity for unemployed youth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) ID-4675ce7d-2d16-4391-a077-49c0a3bec284Professional & Technical TrainingProvide world-class professional and technical training that leads directly to jobs and entrepreneurship support. ID-d058ccf2-44f2-4f85-af1c-17e5d32d0954EFE works to provide economic opportunities to unemployed youth in the Middle East and North Africa through targeted job training and placement, and employability and entrepreneurship programs.With an affiliated network of locally-run NGOs in Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Yemen, Morocco and Tunisia supported by capacity-building organizations in Europe and the United States, EFE engages youth, trainers and private sector companies to offer youth employment programs that are distinctive in the region. EFE takes a demand-driven approach and measures success by job placement rates rather than training numbers alone. EFE does this through partnerships with companies that provide commitments to hire EFE graduates through joint selection processes and training that fills the skills gap faced by employers.EFE has developed three programs in order to most effectively reach out to unemployed youth in the region:Job Training & PlacementProvides skills training to unemployed youth. ID-64b967f1-62b4-475f-b861-2c572d2467691Unemployed YouthEFE’s core model that provides skills training to unemployed youth leading to a full-time job.PathwaysGuide students on the path to finding a job. ID-c6ff7a04-a2da-4135-9eb7-be1dd1f729b42StudentsEFE’s shorter term program is designed to help guide students on the path to finding a job by providing them with internship opportunities and employability skills.EntrepreneurshipPrepare young people for self-employment, impart skills needed to start small businesses, and link youth to financing, mentoring and other services ID-11038094-a055-48c1-9c2d-ea22e950c7513Young PeopleYouthMentorsEFE’s entrepreneurship program prepares young people for self-employment and imparts skills needed to start small new businesses, as well as links youth to financing, mentoring and other services.2013-12-19http://efe.org/about-us/about-usOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net