
Many vocational school students face the dual pressures of balancing education and employment, while enduring the societal stigma surrounding vocational education. Due to the mismatch between their skills and available opportunities, most are unable to secure safe and meaningful jobs, causing them significant stress about their futures. In response, Save the Children, together with local partners, launched a project to better align these youth’s skills and career planning with the job market, and empower them to unleash their potential.
Enhancing Workplace Skills Through Hands-On Experience
Ping Ping, a grade 11 student at a Chengdu vocational school, had struggled with uncertainty about her career, and the financial pressures of supporting her widowed mother. By joining our programme, she gained the confidence and entrepreneurship skills to co-organise a cat café, where she took the lead on designing promotional materials and engaging with business owners and guests. This experience inspired Ping Ping to take on more challenges and leadership roles, and to think more broadly about her future career opportunities.
Igniting Hope for a Bright Career Future
Now brimming with confidence, Ping Ping decided to run as the chairperson in the school’s photography club while taking on more chances to practice her technical skills. She shared, “The café owner’s experience of developing multiple skillsets inspired me to think about my career path. Now that my work-related competencies have improved, I have more opportunities in the future. I would encourage others to embrace this programme to achieve breakthroughs in their professional and personal lives.”
Strengthening Youth and Family Resilience
Save the Children provides diverse career exploration opportunities for youth through employability and entrepreneurship skills training, career counselling, and workplace visits with our corporate partners. By enhancing young people’s mental health and skills, we empower them to establish a foundation for their career development, engage their families, and enhance their personal growth. Our projects support youth to build their skills and resilience, helping them realise their aspirations and contribute to their families and communities.