YOU-RISE: Youth Readiness for Industry, skills & Employment
A Scalable, tech-enabled pathway that equips young Nigerians-especially women and persons with disabilities with market ready skills, paid internships, and dignified jobs. Built and delivered on 1Capacity’s Youthworks.
YOU-RISE begins with a pilot program in Abuja from October 2025, targeting 300 NYSC corps members nearing the end of their service year. Participants will complete a condensed three-week curriculum before being placed into internships.
Nigeria's Youthwork Gap
Over 70% of Nigerians are under 30, with 1.5–2 million youth entering the labour market annually. Yet unemployment and underemployment remain high, and many roles go unfilled due to skills mismatch. YOU‑RISE bridges the education‑to‑employment gap with a system‑anchored pathway from training to paid internships and dignified jobs.
- Market‑aligned skills (digital + soft skills)
- Paid internships matched to real employer demand
- Institutional strengthening with NYSC & FMLE
300
NYSC Corp members to be trained and matched.
FCT
Pilot state
What is YOU‑RISE?
YOU‑RISE (Youth Readiness for Industry, Skills & Employment) is a 3‑year, digitally enabled program delivering a 1:1 training‑to‑work conversion goal. It combines structured learning, employer matching, and institutional systems strengthening to move youth into dignified, future‑ready work at scale.
Youth Workforce Accelerator (YWA)
6‑month blended training on Youthworks (1Capacity) building foundational, digital and sector skills, followed by internship orientation and capstone.
Opportunity Xchange (O‑X)
Real‑time employer demand engine on 1Capacity that curates internship roles and entry‑level jobs; powers matching and reporting.
Institutional Strengthening
Digitizes SAED records and supports NYSC & FMLE with labour market intelligence, policy alignment and data pipelines.
How It Works
1) Train
Learners complete a curated curriculum on Youthworks: communication & collaboration, digital literacy, career readiness, sector tracks, ownership mindset, and client delivery.
2) Match
O‑X aggregates employer demand across sectors and regions, enabling algorithmic matching to vetted host organizations.
3) Intern → Job
Youth complete a 4‑month paid internship (subsidized), with a 1:1 goal to convert into dignified work or entrepreneurship.
Communication & Collaboration
2 weeks
Digital Literacy & Tools
6 weeks
Ownership Mindset
2 weeks
Client Delivery & Execution
3 weeks
Career Readiness & Branding
2 weeks
Internship Orientation
2 weeks
Sector‑Specific Tracks
5 weeks
Capstone & Showcase
2 weeks
Who It’s For
NYSC corps members and unemployed graduates (18–29) seeking market‑relevant skills and real‑world experience. Priority for women (65%) and persons with disabilities (5%).
- Blended learning on Youthworks (self‑paced + instructor‑supported)
- Verified micro‑credentials & portfolios on 1Capacity
- Paid internships matched to interests & demand
Value for Employers
Access a pipeline of pre‑screened, trained youth talent at no recruitment cost. Shape skills supply by co‑creating curricula and retain the best interns into entry‑level roles.
- Lower onboarding risk via internship try‑outs
- Inclusive, safe workplace commitment
- Visibility as youth employment champions
Ready to build Nigeria’s YouthWork pipeline?
To validate our model, YOU-RISE begins with a pilot program in Abuja from October 2025, targeting 300 NYSC corps members nearing the end of their service year. Participants will complete a condensed three-week curriculum before being placed into internships. The pilot serves as a proof of concept, designed to demonstrate that YOU-RISE model is practical, scalable, and impactful.
FAQ
Is YOU‑RISE part of 1Capacity?
Yes. YOU‑RISE is delivered on 1Capacity’s Youthworks platform (youthworks.1capacity.com), a dedicated sub‑platform under 1Capacity.com
Who can apply?
NYSC corps members and unemployed graduates aged 18–29. We prioritize women (65%) and persons with disabilities (5%).
How long is the training?
Six months of blended learning on Youthworks, followed by internship orientation and capstone.
Are internships paid?
Yes. Internships are fully subsidized and designed to convert into dignified jobs where possible.
How are employers involved?
Employers submit real‑time needs via Opportunity Xchange (O‑X), co‑shape curricula, host interns, and retain strong performers.
Where does the program run?
Across 19 states and the FCT, aligned to sector opportunities and employer density.