YEEL’s job readiness programme gives young people essential skills and connects them to decent jobs to build stable livelihoods.
With no dedicated job centres for Somali youth, YEEL steps in to fill this role, helping them search, secure, and sustain meaningful employment.
75% of graduates connected to internship, job placement or job opportunities within 6 months.
80% report gaining strong job search skills, clear career goals, and increased confidence.
3500+ youth trained in employability skills and connected to a network.
To date, we have provided job readiness and connection support to more than 2000 youth, with 43% successfully finding jobs afterwards
The training gave me a shop that provides for me today but also gives me hope for a better tomorrow.
Asma Ali
Our training methods
Mastering theory and practice
Our training provides a strong foundation in essential business concepts, with practical exercises enabling participants to apply their learning in real-world situations.
Experienced guest lecturers
Participants gain knowledge and insights from experts and guest speakers incl. business leaders, entrepreneurs, influencers, academics, and other professionals.
Peer learning
The training encourages sharing experiences and ideas through group discussions, fostering teamwork, peer learning and collaborative problem-solving.
Role-plays and simulations
Role-plays and simulations mimic real scenarios in sales, marketing, and customer service, helping participants develop problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Mentorship and coaching
Long-term mentorship and coaching provide participants with tailored guidance and ongoing support during their training, the critical startup phase and beyond.
Ongoing learning
Our Youth Entrepreneurship Network connects participants with peers, local entrepreneurs and mentors, offering ongoing learning, socialising and support.

What we teach
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Participants are introduced to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. They explore ways to generate innovative ideas by identifying personal skills, values, and community needs. These sessions encourages creative and critical thinking and helps participants build confidence in their potential to create viable business ideas.
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These sessions provide a strong foundation in financial literacy. Participants learn how to manage living and business expenses, create budgets, understand capital requirements, and establish savings habits. These skills are vital for long-term financial sustainability and business success.
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The students explore the basics of marketing including how to identify customer needs, develop marketing strategies, and promote products or services effectively to attract and retain customers.
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Clear communication is key to business success. These sessions focus on effective communication skills, overcoming barriers to communication, and using assertiveness in professional interactions. It also introduces the concept of mentoring and the importance of building supportive business relationships.
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Participants learn the day-to-day operations required to run a business. This includes understanding business production, finance, and administration, as well as maintaining inventory and using resources efficiently, including the importance of keeping operations aligned with long-term business goals.
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Expanding on the earlier financial topics, these sessions delves deeper into managing business finances. The young participants learn about creating financial records, documenting and tracking income and expenses, and making informed decisions to ensure profitability and financial stability.
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Running a business involves navigating small and big challenges. In these sessions, participants develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They are trained to evaluate multiple solutions and make informed decisions that take into account risks and their business objectives, ensuring resilience in the face of challenges.
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Participants examine the impact of gender dynamics and family relationships on business. This chapter encourages participants to foster supportive family structures while balancing business responsibilities. It also discusses the importance of understanding and mitigating gender-based challenges in entrepreneurship.
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Entrepreneurs must manage their time, plan strategically, and stay focused to achieve business objectives. Among Somalis, a lack of structured planning and time management often limits business growth. These sessions equip participants with practical skills to set goals, prioritise tasks, and create actionable plans. By mastering these techniques, they can overcome common challenges, use resources efficiently, and achieve sustainable success in both the short and long term.
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This session focus on the importance of ethical and responsible business practices. Participants will learn how to conduct business in a way that respects human rights, avoids all kinds of discrimination or exploitation, promotes gender equality, and ensures fair labor practices. By integrating these principles, our young entrepreneurs can build businesses that contribute positively to social norm change and maintain a reputation for integrity and fairness.
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Doing business responsibly means minimising environmental impact. In this session, participants explore sustainable business practices that protect both people and planet. The focus is on reducing waste, using resources efficiently, and adopting strategies that mitigate the effects of climate change.
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Participants explore how to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy. This builds on earlier marketing concepts and includes lessons on identifying market opportunities, pricing strategies, customer segmentation, and how to stand out from competitors.
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This session emphasises the importance of maintaining personal health (both mentally and physically) for business success. Topics include importance of exercise, diet, hygiene, mental health, stress management, and leading a balanced life. A healthy entrepreneur is a more productive and focused entrepreneur, ready to tackle the challenges of running a business.
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The young entrepreneurs learn how to create businesses that not only generate profit but also contribute to the social and economic development of their communities. Participants will explore how to address local challenges through their ventures, ensuring their businesses have a positive social impact while maintaining financial viability.
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In the final sessions, participants consolidate their knowledge by developing a complete business plan. This includes setting business goals, choosing the right business structure, and planning for future growth. This equips participants with the tools they need to launch their business and take the next steps confidently.

Our entrepreneurship training lasts 4 months and is completely free, including transportation and meals. Our young participants gain important business skills and personal growth, preparing them to succeed in business and make a positive impact in their communities.