Youth unemployment is often treated like a numbers problem. We treat it like a leadership and livelihoods problem. Dr Ariel R King sits down with Sir Clyde Milimo, co-founder of iCare Youth Zambia, to share a grounded model for youth empowerment in Zambia that moves beyond inspiration into practical outcomes: employability, vocational skills, internships, and real routes into self-employment.

Clyde traces the mission back to his own journey, including being selected as one of eight youths by the US Department of State and receiving a scholarship, then turning that experience into a commitment to serve adolescents and young adults. We unpack self-leadership as a core life skill for job readiness, using five questions that help a young person find direction: who am I, where do I come from, where am I now, where am I going, and how will I get there. From self-image and self-control to self-direction, the framework connects mindset to measurable action.

We also get specific about programme design: a theory of change that combines skills training with financial literacy and stakeholder support, plus an eight-stage pathway to sustainable livelihoods that begins with a labour market assessment. Clyde explains how tailored TVET training through TEVETA-registered institutions, internships and apprenticeships, and exit interviews can lead to either employment or entrepreneurship support such as tools and equipment. Along the way, we address inclusion and why youth development cannot focus only on the girl child while leaving the boy child behind.

If you care about youth development, TVET, vocational training, and sustainable livelihoods in Africa, hit subscribe, share this with someone building a youth programme, and leave us a review with your biggest takeaway.

Music, lyrics, guitar and singing by Dr Ariel Rosita King

Teach me to live one day at a time
with courage love and a sense of pride.
Giving me the ability to love and accept myself
so I can go and give it to someone else.
Teach me to live one day at a time.....

The Business of Life
Dr Ariella (Ariel) Rosita King
Original Song, "Teach Me to Live one Day At A Time"
written, guitar and vocals by Dr. Ariel Rosita King

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