By HERVE GOBOU
The Second Chance School (E2C), an ambitious initiative supported by the Ivorian government to address youth unemployment, was launched in 2022. The program targets out-of-school or unqualified young people, offering them practical training and pathways to employment in promising sectors.
A response to school dropout
Every year, thousands of young people leave school without a diploma. The E2C provides an alternative: rebuilding confidence, acquiring skills, and accessing employment. The targeted fields include high-demand sectors such as retail, personal services, and technical trades.
Through this program, Ivorian youth are given an opportunity to recover from early academic failure or lack of formal education—situations that often prevent them from accessing decent employment or professional careers. Many parents, often overwhelmed by these circumstances, struggle to find solutions for their children’s future.
The State of Côte d’Ivoire has therefore taken decisive action to open new socio-professional pathways for affected youth.
Practical training opportunities
In 2024, nearly 250 young people were enrolled in training programs in personal care professions such as housekeeping, childcare, home-based nursing assistance, cleaning services, and cooking.
These professions, long undervalued, are now recognized as essential to the social and economic fabric. As the saying goes, “no job is insignificant.” Fields such as cooking, pastry-making, and baking, for example, offer real income opportunities due to strong daily demand for catering services.
Inspiring testimonies
To better understand the impact of the program, several beneficiaries shared their experiences.
- Mariam Bamba (22 years old), training as a housekeeper at the Mohamed VI Multisectoral Center in Yopougon, said:
“I left school in 9th grade; I thought my life was over. Thanks to the E2C, I learned a profession and I know I will be able to work. I have regained confidence.” - Koffi Jean (19 years old), trained in retail at the same center, shared:
“Before, I survived on small jobs with no future. Today, I am preparing to work in a supermarket. It is a real opportunity for me and my family.” - Sery Madeleine, in her twenties, said:
“I always wanted to work in healthcare, but I lacked the means to continue my studies. The E2C gave me practical training. I can now help elderly people and earn a decent living.” - Miezan Christophe (21 years old), a cleaning services trainee, added:
“I was discouraged after leaving school. The Second Chance School taught me a useful and in-demand profession. I am proud to contribute to maintaining public and private spaces.”
These testimonies highlight the E2C as a powerful alternative for reducing unemployment in Côte d’Ivoire.
A successful public–private partnership
The E2C is the result of cooperation between the Ministry of Technical Education and the Ministry of Youth. Local companies actively participate in training and commit to hiring graduates, ensuring alignment between skills and labor market needs.
Despite encouraging results, several challenges remain: ensuring long-term follow-up of graduates, expanding private partnerships, and diversifying training into emerging sectors such as digital technology and agriculture.
The Second Chance School embodies a powerful promise: transforming broken educational paths into success stories. It restores confidence, dignity, and prospects to a youth determined not to remain on the margins of society. With 585 young people trained and certified in 2025, the E2C stands as a key lever in the fight against youth unemployment—one that still needs to be strengthened and sustained.
