A plumbing vocational training course in Timor-Leste

Millions of people do not have the opportunities to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to secure a livelihood. Plan's training programmes help fill that gap, empowering thousands of people with skills for life.

In 2009, Plan worked with communities and partners to train 91,141 farmers in sustainable farming techniques and provided vocational and business training for 38,445 people globally.

Focusing on the poorest households, we aim to help the most vulnerable - especially children, young people and women.

In Vietnam, for example, Plan provided vocational training to more than 1,000 marginalised youths from poor migrant families last year. Most of the participants found stable jobs shortly after completing the programme.

Farm focus

Our agriculture and natural resource management work helps communities in a variety of ways - from providing training in farming techniques to environmental education.

In Thailand, for example, a scheme to promote organic farming for cash and for families' own consumption has been very popular. Last year, farmers from more than 660 families were taught organic farming practices, while their children learnt how to grow organic vegetables on school farms.

Plan also implements some urban agricultural initiatives. For example, Plan Ethiopia's bio-intensive home gardening vegetable production programme has helped Addis Ababa households to boost their nutritious food consumption and generate cash.