Bridging the skills gap for TYEE participating youth in a week long Pre-employment Skill Up Training Workshops from 18th - 22nd March 2019 at the Youth Tech Incubators Centre (YTIC) to provide learning opportunities and a serious investment in each youth to make their transition to work, meaningful.

Prior to the week long training, an orientation day was organised by TYEE where the first group of 35 youths were identified from the pre-employment registration and interviews whom they needed the Skill Up Training. The orientation was focusing on groups brainstorming session to identify the root causes of each youth employment challenge and barriers, followed by the individuals skills assessment. The outcome was no surprise with each group presenting some of the personal factors; laziness, high-headed and expectation, family problems, lack of good qualification, skills, experience, negative personal influence, ashamed of oneself and fear. While they report on the situational factors; financial issues, location-distance, transportation, lack of opportunities for youth and family matters.

Skill Up covers career pathways, CV writing, financial literacy including a new bank account with the BSP Bank, interview techniques with mock interviews, work attire presentations and fitting from the Youth Career Closet.  TYEE was privileged to partner with the BSP Bank in co-delivering this program.  The participants who have successfully completed the Skill Up moved directly to the TYEE Career Centre - Recruitment Service for real job interviews and placements. The second Skill Up group will be starting this April 2019.

This International Women's Day 2019, TYEE would like to celebrate the strength and the resilience of the ordinary Tongan woman.

​The Tongan woman who despite her own lack of opportunities pushes the next generation to succeed. The everyday woman who puts others before herself, ensuring they succeed and she more than ever makes great sacrifices for them.

The everyday women who allow others to become great.

TYEE would like to acknowledge just a few of our ordinary and inspiring women who have played an extraordinary role and generously contributed to TYEE's achievements to date.  These women deserve the recognition so our young generation can be inspired too. These women are professional women, business leaders, innovators, community leaders, entrepreneurs, volunteers and dedicated mothers who are out there every day to make a difference!  This is a great opportunity to reflect on progress made and call for change to celebrate acts of courage and determination by these ordinary women in Tonga.  We thank you for your love and support to date.

Think equal, build smart, innovate for change ~UN

The 2019 theme, Think equal, build smart, innovate for change focuses on innovative ways in which we can advance gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly in the areas of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure.

TYEE Youth Career Centre accepts donations of new or near new male and female clothing and accessories suitable for work and business and we'll provide those clothing at no cost to our registered youths in training and seeking employment. The offer will only apply to those youth members who have completed the work readiness program, educational programs and are serious about seeking employment, such as an outfit for their first job interviews. After employment is secured, they can add that outfit to their wardrobe.

The Career Closet will also be available for the public at a very generous price tag on a fortnightly sales workshop at TYEE Career Centre. This will help us to sustain that service for those who are in need and on the queue.

Donate, give with confidence and help us change lives for our youth in Tonga.