Adroit Associates conducted a comprehensive Labour Market Assessment (LMA) alongside a Curricula Review and Revision for ACTED under an EU-funded initiative focused on youth employment and skills development in Afghanistan.
The assignment examined labour market dynamics, employment barriers, and skills gaps across eight provinces, while also evaluating the relevance and effectiveness of existing technical and vocational education and training (TVET) curricula. The study provided evidence to align training programs with real market demand, ensuring that youth acquire practical, employable skills.
Afghanistan’s youth face severe constraints in accessing employment opportunities due to structural economic challenges, limited private sector growth, and a mismatch between available skills and labour market demand. Many training programs remain disconnected from emerging sectors, reducing their effectiveness in facilitating employment.
The ACTED project, funded by the European Union, was designed to improve access to safe, inclusive, and quality learning opportunities for youth, with a strong focus on employability and economic integration.
The intervention combined two core components: a Labour Market Assessment to identify high-potential sectors and employment pathways, and a Curricula Review to align vocational training with these findings. The project targeted eight northern and northeastern provinces — Badakhshan, Baghlan, Balkh, Faryab, Kunduz, Samangan, Sar-e-Pul, and Takhar — where youth unemployment and underemployment are significant challenges.
The evaluation assessed how effectively the project generated evidence for market-driven training design and whether revised curricula responded to actual labour market needs.
Project Objectives
The primary objective of the assignment was to identify viable employment and livelihood opportunities for youth and ensure that vocational training programs are aligned with these opportunities.
It focused on analyzing labour demand and supply, mapping key sectors and value chains, and identifying barriers that prevent youth from accessing jobs or starting businesses. The study also aimed to assess gaps in existing training programs and recommend improvements to enhance relevance, inclusivity, and accessibility.
Additionally, the assignment evaluated how training curricula could be standardized, modularized, and adapted to reflect both traditional and emerging sectors, including digital and service-based economies.
Methodological Approach
Adroit Associates applied a rigorous mixed-methods approach combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative field insights.
A large-scale household survey was conducted with 1,065 youth aged 15 – 30 across the eight target provinces, using statistically robust sampling methods to ensure representativeness. Data collection was carried out using digital tools with built-in validation systems to maintain accuracy and reliability.
Qualitative research included Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with male and female youth in each province, as well as Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with employers, training providers, and institutional stakeholders. These methods provided in-depth understanding of employment trends, sectoral needs, and training gaps.
The analytical framework examined labour market trends, sectoral growth potential, skills mismatches, and systemic barriers, ensuring that findings directly informed curricula redesign.
Quality assurance measures included enumerator training, field supervision, real-time monitoring, and strict adherence to ethical data collection standards.
Impact and Strategic Significance
The assessment revealed a clear mismatch between existing vocational training programs and labour market demand. While sectors such as manufacturing, services, ICT, and construction showed strong employment potential, many training programs remained concentrated in low-growth or traditional areas.
Youth demonstrated strong interest in entrepreneurship, digital skills, and market-oriented trades, but faced barriers including lack of experience, limited access to training, financial constraints, and weak job placement systems.
The Curricula Review addressed these gaps by restructuring training programs into competency-based modules, integrating soft skills, and aligning course content with high-demand sectors. The revised curricula improved relevance, accessibility, and potential employability outcomes.
The findings provide strong evidence base for designing demand-driven vocational training systems that support youth employment and economic inclusion in fragile contexts.
This assignment highlights Adroit Associates’ expertise in linking labour market intelligence with program design, enabling more effective and scalable skills development interventions.