This is a 6-week program which uses an innovative and holistic approach to vocational training by addressing the complex psychological and emotional factors that often prevent at-risk youth from accessing and retaining decent work. It consists of two weeks of in person training and 80 hours (around 4 weeks) of supervised internships at partnering local businesses.

The Embodying Peaceful Leadership program places great emphasis on the development of the individual: Their self-esteem, emotional intelligence and ability to lead their lives assertively and peacefully. We, at Lead-Up agree with the point of view of Psychologist Daniel Goleman: “Success in life depends 20% on IQ and 80% on emotional intelligence.”

If the emotional state of a person is poor and they thus feel unmotivated, their performance in the work, study or home environment will be poor and their attention will be apathetic.

Emotional Intelligence is the ability to recognize one’s own feelings and the feelings of others and the ability to handle them. Lead-Up’s understanding of, both the mentality and needs of the youth and the complex factors that so often hold them back, as well as an understanding of the demands and expectations of future employers enable us to better prepare the youth. We sympathize with, both the youth and their future employers and we are well equipped to prepare them both accordingly.

The Lead-Up Vocational Program is available to ‘Champions’ of the Lead-Up workshops who have demonstrated a maturity, willingness to change and a thorough understanding of the Lead-Up concepts.

Theoretical training:

The 2-week theoretical and practical training is subdivided into three generative topics with Lead-Up values as cross-cutting thematic areas. The three topics are peaceful leadership, emotional regulation and emotional regulation techniques. And the thematic areas include the Lead-Up values of empathy, assertiveness, resilience and confidence that are taught and practiced with the youth to support their personal and professional development. The program also includes an additional component focused on personal finance and financial education that is tailored to the particular needs of the group.

The vocational program allows us to follow up on what is done in the Discovering Non-violence workshops, acting as a bridge for personal and professional growth that supports young people to access more opportunities and have the skills to retain them.

During these first two weeks, each day focused on a specific thematic area or topic, and some days covered up to two interdependent topics (e.g., emotional regulation and emotional regulation techniques). In the second week, the subvalues were further elaborated on by expanding on the information and giving everyday examples of where they could be applied and their impact on others.

Supervised Internships:

The 4-weeks (80 hours) of supervised internships allow the youth to gain experience and put into practice the skills and values that they learned during the trainings. For this part of the program we partner with local businesses who offer the on-the-job learning opportunities and experience to these youths. Through the internships Lead-Up follows up with the youth and their direct supervisor to address any emergent needs and seek to ensure a successful experience.

What the participants will receive

1. A diploma from Lead-Up Guatemala for having participated successfully

2. A Curriculum Vitae

3. A letter of recommendation, listing the skills acquired

4. Access to our advanced mentoring program and resources

The program does not guarantee employment. However, if the participant successfully completes the program they will have access to possible and future job positions and opportunities.