Egyptian university graduates are now more effectively transitioning to employment through career guidance and employability skills training offered by USAID University Centers for Career Development. In coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the private sector, USAID is establishing 21 sustainable career development centers at 13 public universities across Egypt. These centers will serve more than 70 percent of all public university students in Egypt, including specialized support for students with disabilities, by providing them with career mentoring, employability skills, English language training, private sector networking, internships and, ultimately, jobs.

The concept of career development centers is new to Egyptian public universities and is based on a successful model that has private sector engagement at its core. Established centers have created a strong network with local private industry representatives to better understand what skills are in demand for entry-level professional employees. This information is then used to both tailor training by the center and as well relevant classroom instruction.

Implementing Partner: American University in Cairo; Life of Project: September 2017 – September 2021; Total Estimated Cost: $20.8 million; Governorates: Alexandria, Assiut, Aswan, Beni Suef, Cairo, Dakahlia, Gharbia, Menoufia, Minya, Qalyoubia, Sharqia, Sohag 

GOALS

• Establish 21 self-sustaining career centers at 13 public universities throughout Egypt 
• Improve job prospects of students and alumni by providing specialized training and career mentoring as well as linking students to private sector networking and employment opportunities
• Develop students' and graduates' job-seeking skills to strengthen lifelong career prospects
• Nurture sustainable relationships between universities and external stakeholders in industry, business, the nonprofit sector, and civil society
• Establish systems to analyze labor market trends and track employment outcomes for program participants

RESULTS

• Launched 15 University Centers for Career Development at 10 Egyptian public universities that are a sustainable and integral part of their universities
• Benefited 92,214 students (60% female) through career development workshops, information sessions, individualized career advising sessions, and trainings such as employability skills development, entrepreneurship, and English language
• Connected students with more than 450 employers who offered 4,502 job and internship opportunities to university students and graduates
• Supporting 22 staff members who are analyzing and disseminating labor market information with a particular focus on designing and conducting enterprise surveys and employer round table meetings thanks to training provided by the activity
• Trained 53 staff members in disability equality in order to effectively serve students with disabilities and offer inclusive career services
• Facilitated private-sector engagement efforts to conduct 215 employer-run information sessions, workshops, and seminars that were attended by 13,687 students
• Supported enterprise surveys and employer roundtable meetings conducted for the first time in Egypt at six partner universities (Sohag, Mansoura, Alex, Zagazig, Beni Suef, and Sadat City), engaging 35 private sector organizations from sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, education, medical services, banking, engineering, and real estate
• University Centers for Career Development swiftly responded to COVID-19 challenges by adapting career services to be fully online and working with training partners to tailor their curriculums for virtual delivery. Centers continue to connect and engage with employers through virtual channels: 12,876 students (56% female) have benefited from online training programs and career development services