Helping Youth Secure Employment and Vocational Training

Research by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research shows education opportunities continue to be unevenly distributed with youth from immigrant backgrounds, low-income families, and rural areas less likely to move up the education ladder. In 2020, PHINEO gAG and its partners, with support from John Deere Foundation, strived to boost educational outcomes by improving access to food and directing twenty-six volunteers in Germany to mentor youth through virtual and in-person online engagement activities and identify, collect, and distribute computer hardware to mentees in need.

Through these and other efforts, 88% of all mentees found a job or vocational training following completion of the mentoring program. Volunteer testimonials and internal impact reports show the experience was positive for everyone involved. Employees that volunteered tended to be more aware of their company’s support and strategy toward crisis response, and increase their support for student success.