Assessing Demand for
Youth Labour:
A study on private sector demand
in Senegal and Ghana
Markus Pilgrim
Youth Employment Network
June 8th, 2009 Washington DC

Motivation
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Objectives & Design
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Results (1)
1. Demand for entry level jobs in the next 5 years:
13,300 in Senegal and 6,200 in Ghana
2. Sectors with highest youth labor demand:
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Results (2)
3. Minimum skills requirements
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Results (3)
4. Barriers to employing youth
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Conclusions
General conclusions:
2. Difficulty in covering biggest employer, i.e. the informal sector
3. There are job opportunities for youth
4. There is a skills gap
Lessons for design of youth employment programs:
7. Combined programs on soft skills and internships
8. Employment fairs
9. Make an offer to companies on CSR, e.g. mentorships
10. Adopt educational/training programs to market needs
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