Youth Building the Future Program in the U.S
June 10, 2022
Institutional Context
Mexico has one of the highest global populations of young people out of education, employment or training. This population represents 22% of the total young population in Mexico, furthermore, within this population, the youth living in poverty or vulnerability represent over 87%. The Mexican Ministry of Labor and Social Security created the Youth Building the Future Program to create the conditions for, at least 2.3 million, young people to participate in the economic productive process. The program focuses on a model of social co-responsibility between the public, private, and social sectors; it is aimed at offering young people space, support, and structured activities to develop or strengthen work habits and technical skills that promote social inclusion and increase their chances of future employability.
The target population is people between 18 and 29 years old, who are not in education, employment, or training. This population is provided with a monthly payment and can participate in the program for up to one year. Additionally, while they are in training, they will be provided with health, maternity, and occupational accident insurance as well as other benefits. During 2020, to face the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security introduced changes to the program by offering virtual courses and seminars. The virtual courses and seminars were aimed at young people who had lost their jobs, as well to businesses affected by the pandemic.
Youth Building the Future Program in the US
On June 10th, 2022, Foreign Secretary, Marcelo Ebrard, presented the Building the Future Program for the Mexican American Community in Los Angeles, California. Through cooperation among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID) and the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME), the Mexican Government aims to implement the program starting in Los Angeles with plans to spread it to other cities.
The Mexican Chancellor was accompanied by Laura Elena Carrillo Cubillas, Director of AMEXID; José Gómez, Archbishop of Los Angeles; Alberto Román, President of the Community College of East Los Angeles; Roberto Velasco, Head of the North America Unit; Esteban Moctezuma, Mexican Ambassador to the United States; Luis Gutiérrez Reyes, Director of the Institute of Mexicans Abroad; and Marcela Celorio, Mexican Consul General in Los Angeles.
