Issue

The MIF had invested $25.5 million in 15 grants supporting the development of skill standards and worker certification programs in Latin America and the Caribbean over a 10-year period. There continued to be an interest in developing new programs and expanding existing programs, but before making more grants, the MIF wanted to know what lessons had been learned from the projects to-date and what changes, if any, were needed in grantmaking going forward.

Millennia’s Approach

Millennia facilitated a one-day workshop with grantees to initiate this process and, subsequently, the MIF provided support for a skill standards network focused on facilitating information-sharing among the grantees. Millennia’s analysis identified where the projects had success and where challenges remained, in particular relating to the participation of employers in driving the market for skills certification.

Client Benefit

One of Millennia’s findings was that the programs supported by the MIF in various countries needed opportunities to exchange information. Specific recommendations from Millennia’s report were adopted by the MIF in design of future projects. When the grant fund was replenished, skill standards remained one of the areas of grantmaking for the MIF.

The MIF case study is an example of Millennia's Program Design and Research and Policy Analysis services.