USAID's EQuALLS Project has implemented a number of initiatives to help improve the relevance of education and training for out-of-school youth in Mindanao.
 
Livelihood Skills Training
EQuALLS provides short-term livelihood courses to the youth of conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. These courses are often packaged with life skills programs which improve the youths' abilities to deal effectively with the demands of everyday life, including interpersonal relationships, creative thinking, problem solving, non-violent conflict resolution, and decision making. These short-term courses include baking, food processing, traditional arts and crafts, and other skills that will provide the youth with marketable skills.
 
Technical and Vocation Training
EQuALLS provides support for young people who want to be certified in technical and vocational courses being administered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Courses offered include carpentry, masonry, arc welding, plumbing, electricity/house wiring, and small engine mechanics. Graduates of the courses are given assistance in taking the competency tests of TESDA. Once certified, graduates of these courses are able to find meaningful employment.
 
Post-training Assistance for Graduates of Workforce Development Skills Training Programs
EQuALLS not only trains out-of-school youth to develop marketable skills, we are also linked to local employment and livelihood opportunities. OSY's participate in industry immersion activities that allow them to apply their skills; finding suitable employment through industry referrals; and organizing themselves into guilds to better pursue micro-entrepreneurial opportunities.