Salesians offer more than 1,000 vocational, technical, professional and agricultural schools.
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (July 15, 2025) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and the international community in celebrating World Youth Skills Day, celebrated on July 15 each year since 2014. The United Nations designated the day as a way to bring greater awareness of the importance of technical and vocational education and training, as well as the development of other skills relevant to both local and global economies.
The theme for the day is “Youth empowerment through AI and digital skills” and highlights the Fourth Industrial Revolution and how it will reshape economies through Artificial Intelligence. UNESCO-International Center for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNEVOC) has noted that this training “must evolve to equip youth with future-ready skills. AI is transforming how we live, learn and work — but it also poses serious risks if not implemented equitably.”
Salesians are regarded as the single largest private provider of vocational and technical training in the world, and they offer more than 1,000 vocational, technical, professional and agricultural schools. Training provides youth with practical skills to prepare for employment and helps them lead productive lives while becoming contributing adults in their communities. Programs go beyond educating. They also assist youth with making connections within industries and preparing them for the process of searching, finding and retaining employment.
“Salesian missionaries offer technical and vocational training to as many youth who are at-risk or disadvantaged as possible in countries around the globe to ensure that they have access to long-term stable employment,” said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “When youth learn employable skills, they can enter the workforce prepared, earning an income to help themselves and improve their communities. Salesians are good at understanding local economies and offering the kind of training that ensures youth find employment and aids important employment sectors.”
To mark World Youth Skills Day 2025, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight technical and vocational programs that provide life-changing education and skills training for youth.
INDIA
Bosco Education & Skill Training Center for Women, part of the Konkan Development Society in the Gadag district, Karnataka, India, offered skills training to vulnerable women thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. There were 290 women who took part in the training.
The women, aged 18-35, took tailoring and computer classes to help improve their life circumstances. The initiative is part of the self-help groups that Salesians developed to help women become financially self-sufficient and be able to better care for their families.
One of the beneficiaries is a woman with four children, including one child with physical disabilities. Her husband’s earnings are low and she has to be home to care for the children. Through the training, she has been able to work from home stitching clothing and now earns enough money to contribute financially to the household.
SRI LANKA
The Don Bosco Institute of Higher Vocational Education, located in the village of Metiyagane, Sri Lanka, was able to improve the computer skills of students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. Funding enabled the institute to purchase laptops and expand its computer lab.
A Salesian explained, “The Don Bosco Institute is now capable of providing students access to computer facilities for academic purposes and skill improvement.” Students attend the school for training needed for employment in a variety of subjects like hotel management and nursing.
Salesians work to understand the market needs and provide training in areas where students will be able to find and retain stable employment. This also helps to ensure that the workforce has a ready and skilled labor force available.
The Salesian noted, “The institution’s job-oriented training is producing young people with skills for the workforce. Many young people from underprivileged and marginalized communities are drawn to Don Bosco because of its reasonable course fees and full and partial scholarships. However, the institution had to restrict the number of students enrolled because the computers available weren’t enough. Through this donation, we are able to expand facilities and accept even more students, which has resulted in fewer young people entering the workforce as unskilled workers.”
TANZANIA
Don Bosco Kilimanjaro International Institute for Telecommunications, Electronics and Computers (Don Bosco KIITEC), located in Arusha, Tanzania, has a new hostel for 300 students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The construction for the hostel had been started thanks to a local benefactor, and the donor funding from Salesian Missions was utilized to build the upper floors and finish the building, including plumbing, tiling, doors, electrical work, and painting. The building is currently being used for 150 students.
Don Bosco KIITEC serves youth and young adults who are poor. The school sits on a 15-acre campus that offers the most advanced training technologies in the region. Courses include electrical engineering with industrial automation, renewable energy, and computer science, as well as electronics and telecommunications.
One of the students, Herman Exaud John, has enjoyed his time at Don Bosco KIITEC. He said, “I am so proud of myself, and I feel I’m at the right place because until now I have learned a lot through different programs like the entrepreneurship training. It really helped me a lot since I got new skills to handle my life. I am staying in the hostel which is a place to live and learn. We have all the facilities there. I would really like to thank all who supported us.”
The school’s education model is based on a hands-on and student-centered approach to learning with full access to modern equipment simulating real-world experiences. The school is also registered and accredited by the National Council for Technical Education and awards successful graduates with a three-year National Technical Award Level Six diploma.
VENEZUELA
The Maria Auxiliadora Popular Technical School, located in Altamira in the Chacao municipality of Caracas, Venezuela*, has improved the learning environment for students thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. Funds were used for similar initiatives at the Madre Mazzarello School, located in the state of Amazonas, to strengthen the students’ development of practical skills and competencies necessary for the workforce.
At the Maria Auxiliadora Popular Technical School, upgrades included the purchase of equipment for specific tools for nursing, including anatomical models. Funding also supported technology equipment for classes in accounting and administration. These acquisitions have had a positive impact on 355 students, expanding their technical and digital skills. Additional funding was allocated for the adaptation of spaces for students to connect with the labor force under the supervision of specialist teachers.
These investments made it possible to implement internship hours in a new curricula, which significantly expanded professional training for youth. Previously, internships began in the 4th year through shadowing activities in companies in the community. With the new approach, training begins from the age of 11, adapting to the maturity of the students and respecting the legal frameworks that regulate their early incorporation into the workplace.
At the Madre Mazzarello School, located in the state of Amazonas, more than 565 people were impacted by the donation. The vast majority are families cared for by a single family member. Many of the youth come from families with parents who, due to the country’s situation, do not have the possibility of giving their children a quality education.
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About Salesian Missions USA
Salesian Missions is headquartered in New Rochelle, NY, and is part of the Don Bosco Network—a worldwide federation of Salesian NGOs. The mission of the U.S.-based nonprofit Catholic organization is to raise funds for international programs that serve youth and families in poor communities around the globe. The Salesian missionaries are made up of priests, brothers and sisters, as well as laypeople—all dedicated to caring for poor children throughout the world in more than 130 countries and helping young people become self-sufficient by learning a trade that will help them gain employment. To date, more than 3 million youth have received services funded by Salesian Missions. These services and programs are provided to children regardless of race or religion. For more information, go to SalesianMissions.org.