Powering Skills for the Future of Work
IFC Education
Equipping people in emerging markets with skills to thrive in a 21st century economy.
Reflections from Chris McCahan
Global Head of Education
Hello to all!
Job creation lies at the heart of World Bank Group ’s mission—and at the foundation of every job are skills. In this latest edition of the IFC Education Newsletter, we explore how partnerships can drive innovation in learning, ensure curricula remain relevant, and create robust pathways for learners.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Juan José Güemes , President of the International Center for Entrepreneurial Management at IE University . He shared insights on the critical role of partnerships—with academic institutions, industry leaders, and the startup ecosystems to keep IE’s programs both relevant and forward-looking. Central to this approach is a focus on nurturing durable skills like critical thinking, creativity, and metacognition. As artificial intelligence (AI) and automation reshape the world of work, these human-centered skills will become increasingly essential.
We also spotlight Shamim Kazemi from our global Education team, who supports the development and implementation of scalable, market-aligned training solutions in collaboration with our partners. A key part of this work is delivered through our flagship Vitae advisory program, which focuses on graduate employability. To date, Vitae has supported over 200 higher education institutions across emerging markets in assessing and strengthening their capacity to equip students with the skills and pathways needed to secure meaningful employment.
We hope these insights inspire you to reevaluate and strengthen your partnership models to more effectively deliver skills for jobs.
Best,
Chris
“To make the most of AI, human intellect must come first—imagination to explore alternatives, intellect to frame problems, and an ethical compass to weigh consequences.”
From an interview with Juan Jose Güemes, Senior Vice President for Strategy and Chaiman Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation in Madrid, Spain.
As technology reshapes education and the future of work, universities must go beyond teaching knowledge and practical skills to also foster creativity, ethics, and an entrepreneurial mindset. In an interview with IFC, Juan Jose Güemes of IE University emphasizes the importance of industry collaboration and human-centric skills, noting that critical thinking and imagination will be key for graduates in the age of AI.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
We also spotlight Shamim Kazemi, Employability and Skills Specialist, who leads efforts to develop scalable, market-aligned training solutions in partnership with educational institutions. Shamim is excited about the many opportunities to equip students with the skills they need to find great jobs in today’s dynamic labor market!
RECENT EVENTS
Africa Skills for Jobs Policy Academy
Last week, IFC’s education specialists Alejandro Caballero and Shamim Kazemi and investment officer Federico Leo participated in the Africa Skills for Jobs Policy Academy in Nairobi. Hosted by the World Bank in partnership with Kenya’s Ministry of Education, the three-day event convened leaders across education, tourism, technology, science, and finance to discuss how to build stronger education-to-employment pathways for young people across Africa.
National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)
The World Bank Group, including a team from IFC, recently hosted a delegation from Pakistan’s National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) in Washington, DC. NUST is internationally recognized for its programs at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies and the Centre for International Peace and Stability. The discussions focused on potential collaboration in science, technology, innovation, employability, digital transformation, and internationalization, with plans to strengthen joint efforts in tertiary education and skills development in emerging markets.
HolonIQ’s 24th Annual Back to School Summit
Alejandro Caballero also recently joined a panel exploring the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption in universities at HolonIQ ’s, global data platform, annual event. Key themes included the evolving role of faculty, effective change management, and the importance of responsible procurement policies involving all stakeholders. The panel emphasized the urgent need for collaborative action and coalitions, especially as AI adoption accelerates in higher education across emerging markets.
PARTNERSHIP NEWS
For many students, the transition from graduation to meaningful employment can be challenging. To help bridge this gap, IFC’s Vitae Program is partnering with Kenya’s Riara University to better align its programs with labor market needs. Using a data-driven approach, Vitaeready supports universities in strengthening career services, enhancing employer engagement, and equipping students with essential career skills. Over the coming months, Vitae will collaborate closely with Riara’s leadership to expand employer partnerships and career development initiatives. Together, they are preparing students to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Sub-Saharan Africa holds immense economic promise with the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population. Yet, a widening skills gap threatens this potential. A new blog from the World Bank explores strategies to close the gap, including private sector participation to boost job readiness and harness technology to scale and personalize learning. “If Africa succeeds in reimagining its skills-for-jobs approach, the payoff will be significant: a workforce prepared for both today’s opportunities and tomorrow’s disruptions.”
Read the blog here.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN
In August, IFC hosted the webinar, “Breaking Barriers for Women in STEM: Advancing Inclusion from Higher Education to the Workforce” as part of the Equality in Education and Employment (E3) Initiative, a platform dedicated to promoting gender equality from higher education through to career advancement.
The session brought together experts, higher education leaders, and employers to examine persistent inequities facing women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, despite growing enrollment in higher education. Speakers highlighted institutional approaches that support women in STEM careers and offered insights into how employers can foster more inclusive workplaces.
Whether you missed the event or want to revisit the discussion, the full webinar replay is available here: Watch the replay.
Stay tuned for more events under the E3 Initiative as we continue to drive progress on gender equity in education and employment.
STORY OF SUCCESS
With IFC’s support, Afya is transforming healthcare in Brazil through world-class medical education, digital innovation, and a bold social mission. Training one in three doctors in the country across 32 campuses, Afya ensures that 70 percent of its graduates stay and serve in underserved regions, bringing vital care where it’s needed most.
Its digital platform, used by over 350,000 physicians, powers telemedicine, AI-driven clinical decision support, and real-time disease tracking—already helping to predict outbreaks like dengue. Now, backed by a $90 million sustainability-linked loan from IFC, Afya is aiming to deliver five million free consultations by 2030, strengthening health systems and improving lives across Brazil.
Check out Afya’s story of success here.
TECH CORNER
Access to quality language education is an important gateway to expanding opportunities in higher education and the global workforce. In partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), IFC invested in Ukrainian-founded Preply, a leading global online language learning platform, to support its research and development and integration of artificial intelligence. With AI-driven tutor matching and a pay-as-you-go model, Preply ensures that high-quality learning is within reach for learners of all backgrounds. This investment highlights the transformative role of edtech in advancing equity in higher education.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Alejandro also recently moderated a dynamic discussion on ways to better serve adult learners and support lifelong learning. The webinar highlighted the shift toward evaluating essential cross-cutting skills like teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, resilience, persistence, and language proficiency. Catch the replay here.