Higher Education for Life and Work – HELW – is a project funded by UKAID and led by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with Al Alfi Foundation, iCareer, and Advance HE. The overall aim of the programme is to contribute to Egypt’s increased capacity for inclusive economic growth, with particular attention to improving the labor market outcomes for youth from public universities. HELW partnered with the Ministry for Higher Education and Scientific Research, as the main stakeholder, to provide effective capacity building and career guidance to students and graduates.

The “Higher Education for Life and Work (HELW)” project is a significant initiative aimed at fostering inclusive economic growth in Egypt, particularly by enhancing labor market outcomes for young people from public universities. This project is funded by UKAID and spearheaded by the International Labour Organization (ILO). It features key collaborations with Al Alfi Foundation, iCareer, and Advance HE.

One of the core objectives of HELW is to strengthen the capacity of young people for better integration into the workforce. This is achieved through the strategic partnerships with Egypt’s Ministry for Higher Education and Scientific Research, which plays a pivotal role as the main stakeholder. Through this partnership, HELW focuses on providing effective capacity building and career guidance to both students and new graduates.

The programme’s emphasis on capacity building is crucial, as it aims to equip the youth with the necessary interpersonal and intrapersonal skills required to thrive in the modern job market. Career guidance is another essential component of the HELW project. By offering tailored career advice, mentorship, and support, the programme helps students and graduates navigate the complexities of the job market, make informed career choices, and ultimately achieve better employment outcomes.

• Life Skills

  Based on the latest World Economic Forum Report on the top skills and skill groups employers see as rising in prominence in the lead-up to 2025, Al Alfi Foundation designed a Students Development Program, “Keys to Success,” capitalizing on the main pillars extracted from the report, which focuses on: Interpersonal Skills and Intrapersonal Skills.

  Al Alfi Foundation provided skills training courses for 1100 students and fresh graduates from public universities from different governorates. Beneficiaries were assessed using a specially designed assessment tool. The skills tests were designed to measure basic competencies that are typically associated with essential work activities for a wide variety of jobs. The results were used as a reliable way to objectively evaluate the beneficiaries’ abilities and identify their skill gap to be placed in the most needed course.

• English Courses

  Recognizing the importance of English proficiency in the global job market, Al Alfi Foundation provided courses to about 700 students and graduates from public universities to undertake 2 levels (approximately 120 hours) of English language training. These courses, tailored according to individual assessment results, aim to improve language skills and, consequently, employability. Notably, the program includes significant female participation, highlighting its commitment to gender inclusivity.