As we celebrate National Inclusion Week in the UK, this week provides an important opportunity to recognise the crucial role of inclusion and diversity in building stronger societies and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of background. We’re proud to support this mission globally, promoting gender equality and social inclusion through our international workforce development projects.

Around the world women and marginalised groups face significant barriers to accessing education, employment and career progression. Our work helps equip individuals with essential skills and to break down these barriers, promoting environments where everyone can contribute and benefit equally.

To mark Inclusion Week, we’re sharing examples of our projects in championing gender equality and social inclusion to drive sustainable development and economic empowerment globally. These projects illustrate how equitable opportunities and diverse community needs are being supported across various regions:

• Skills needs research for growth sectors in the South-Southeast of Mexico: The southern states of Mexico – Veracruz, Chiapas, Oaxaca and Tabasco faced significant youth unemployment challenges. The national government aimed to enhance access to education and support recovery post-pandemic, focusing on improving skills for employment. Our skills research provided valuable insights to address economic barriers faced by young people in completing education and accessing jobs. Supported by the Inter-American Development Bank, this project aimed to transform human capital in Mexico and mitigate the severe impact of Covid-19 on the labour market, enhancing technical and vocational education and employability services.
• Establishing a new training facility at City Centre Almaza targeting young people and people with disabilities: In partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), we supported Majid Al Futtaim Group (MAF) in establishing the Almaza Recruitment and Training Centre (ARTC) to enhance inclusion through targeted training programmes and employment support. Our efforts included assessing market needs for accredited learning, coordinating a study visit to Abdali Mall in Jordan and defining operational parameters and a financial model. We managed the project, supported the ARTC’s launch and developed inclusive learning programmes and built the capacity of local trainers. Additionally, we implemented robust monitoring and evaluation practices to track the ARTC’s impact, ensuring it effectively serves local young jobseekers, individuals with disabilities and current employees, while facilitating job placements and promoting employment opportunities.
• Project in Valle Del Cauca to promote employment opportunities for women and young people in the construction sector: In response to the Covid-19 crisis, which exacerbated inequalities affecting young people and women in Colombia, the government implemented a national economic recovery strategy focusing on the infrastructure and construction sectors. Commissioned by the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) through the British Embassy in Colombia, we developed a training and labour inclusion model for the construction sector. Piloted in the Valle del Cauca region, the model was documented and standardised, providing a replicable framework for improving workforce inclusion across Colombia and within the construction value chain.
• Breaking barriers: Empowering women in hospitality & tourism: In our most recent project in Northern Ireland, we are working with Women Breaking Barriers NI and the Hospitality and Tourism Skills (HATS) Network on a transformative project with a dual mission: to equip unemployed women in Northern Ireland for successful careers in hospitality and tourism and to foster inclusive workplaces that support the advancement of women. During this month the bespoke pre-employment programme we have developed in being used to train women to support their entry to employment. A toolkit to support employers in building an inclusive workplace will also be launched shortly.

These examples show that social inclusion and gender equality are key to driving sustainable development and economic growth. We look forward to expanding our collaborative efforts with partners to further support inclusive opportunities.