Education and Skill Development
At the heart of sustainable development lies education, an essential driver of equity, empowerment, and opportunity. Our services in the education sector are designed to strengthen systems, inform policy, and deliver measurable social impact. We work at the intersection of learning, livelihoods, and equity—designing and supporting initiatives that prepare individuals not just to participate in the economy, but to thrive in it.
We combine evidence, innovation, and community engagement to create sustainable pathways from learning to earning. By embedding data into decision-making and fostering stakeholder collaboration, we ensure that every intervention leads to real, sustainable change.
Projects
Empowering Girls, Ending Child Marriage: The MANZIL Evaluation
The Manzil project, implemented by IPE Global and Smile Foundation with support from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, aims to facilitate school-to-work transitions among adolescent girls in five districts of Rajasthan. The initiative provides vocational training to both in-school and out-of-school girls, equipping them with job-related and formal education skills to enhance their employability and educational attainment. As the research and learning partner, PopulationCouncil Consulting evaluated the programme’s impact using a multi-component, mixed-method approach across intervention and comparison districts.
The evaluation, conducted in two phases, a pre-post design for the first phase and a longitudinal quasi-experimental design for the second phase, measured outcomes related to vocational education completion, school attendance and retention, aspirations for higher education, transitions to work, early marriage, and motherhood. Findings from the first phase highlighted increased enrolment in vocational programs, improved skill development for non-traditional sectors, and enhanced aspirations and agency among adolescent girls. Qualitative insights revealed strong support from local business partners and trainers, particularly in facilitating on-the-job training. This study contributed to refining program strategies and demonstrated the Programme’s growing reach and positive impact within school settings.
Going to School (GTS) – Get a Plan
In collaboration with the Government of Bihar, Going to School (GTS) launched the ‘Get a Plan!’ offline program across 10 districts to foster girls’ aspirations for workforce participation and strengthen enabling environments. The initiative comprised the Green Internship and school-based exposure to graphic novels and related activities. Designed to complement the government’s existing school-based interventions, the program aimed to bridge the gap between education and labour force participation by embedding story content, experiential learning, and connections to ongoing skills programs within the school curriculum.
Between 2019 and 2023, PopulationCouncil Consulting served as the monitoring and evaluation partner, conducting annual baseline and endline surveys with over 200,000 students in grades 9–12. The quantitative evaluation assessed the program’s impact on girls’ aspirations and preparedness for economic engagement. The findings revealed significant improvements in problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills, greater inclination toward employment and enterprise, and heightened awareness of climate change. Notably, the program also contributed to shifting social norms, including increased acceptance of delaying marriage for entrepreneurship and broader support for women’s workforce participation and equal pay.
Addressing Adolescent Employability and Workforce Participation in The Aspirational District, Dholpur, Rajasthan (SENU)
In 2023, a scoping study was undertaken in Dholpur district, Rajasthan, to assess employment opportunities for adolescent girls and examine the potential role of Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) in facilitating their transition to the workforce. Supported by GIZ as part of its technical assistance to the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), the study aligns with national initiatives such as Saksham Anganwadi and Mission Poshan 2.0. The study employed a mixed-method approach, beginning with secondary research followed by primary data collection in the district.
Findings revealed that while Dholpur’s female workforce participation stands at 34 percent, slightly below the state average, there is a positive upward trend. Emerging sectors such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and fertilisers offer new opportunities, particularly due to their proximity to local communities. The study highlighted the potential of AWCs, with their extensive network of over 1,000 centres, to serve as critical intermediaries, raising awareness of career pathways, linking girls to skilling programs, and supporting entrepreneurship. Strengthening AWC engagement can significantly enhance girls’ economic participation and agency at the grassroots level.