Entry Level · IEE Pathways Programme 2026
Partnerships open doors. The right skills help you walk through them.
We're pleased to announce the IEE Pathways Programme, a British Council programme being implemented in Abuja by Octoville Development Company. Designed for young people aged 18–35, it offers practical skills, real-world experience and mentorship to help you move towards decent employment or a successful business venture.
Programme sponsor
Implementing partner
Delivered in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory. Foundry Kollective is part of the Octoville ecosystem.
About the programme
Building the capabilities, confidence and connections for your next step
The Inclusive Economic Empowerment (IEE) Pathways Programme is a structured, phased intervention that equips young people with foundational, market-relevant skills, practical exposure and mentoring to transition into decent employment or a sustainable enterprise.
Every participant begins with an eight-week shared Foundational Phase. Career guidance and counselling then help you choose the track that fits your interests and aspirations: the Employment Track, for those who want to work inside an organisation, or the Enterprise Track, for those who want to start, formalise or grow a business.
It's about building the capabilities, confidence and connections to take the next step in your career, either as an employee or as a business owner. We are looking forward to what we can build together.
Who Can Apply
- Young people aged 18–35
- Residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
- Minimum of secondary education
- A clear interest in either employment or entrepreneurship
- Able to commit to weekly in-person sessions and track activities
- Ready to complete practical assignments between sessions and engage with mentors
Women and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Selection is subject to the approved eligibility and screening criteria.
The Foundational Phase: What You Will Learn
Personal Effectiveness & Resilience
Build the self-awareness, discipline and resilience to show up consistently and keep going when things get hard.
Communication
Speak, write and present clearly with employers, customers and collaborators.
Digital Literacy
Get confident with the everyday digital tools that modern workplaces and businesses run on.
Financial Literacy
Understand money, budgeting and basic financial planning for your life and your work.
Problem-Solving & Systems Thinking
Break problems down, see how the pieces connect and reach practical decisions.
Entrepreneurship Fundamentals
Learn how ideas become businesses: customers, value, and what it really takes to start.
Safeguarding
Know your rights and responsibilities, and how to keep yourself and others safe in work and learning spaces.
Career Guidance & Track Selection
Assess your interests, strengths and aspirations with a counsellor before choosing your track.
Decide Your Next Step: Two Tracks
After the eight-week Foundational Phase and career counselling, each participant progresses into one of two specialised tracks. Both include at least one facilitated face-to-face session every week.
Employment Track
For participants who want to secure decent employment.
- Employability, professional behaviour and workplace-readiness training
- Career coaching, advisor support and employer engagement
- Job shadowing and a supervised internship, apprenticeship or attachment
- Employer connections and career development support
Minimum 14 weeks: 8 weeks of training + 6 weeks of workplace exposure
Enterprise Track
For participants who want to start, formalise or grow a business.
- Business-model validation, market readiness, finance and formalisation
- Eight weeks of structured mentoring and business coaching
- Business shadowing, enterprise visits and practical development activities
- Mock pitching for learning and feedback (no financial award attached)
16 weeks of enterprise training and development support
The Participant's Journey
From application to alumni network, in eight steps.
- 1
Apply
Complete and submit the programme application form.
- 2
Screening & selection
Eligible applicants are screened and successful candidates formally accepted.
- 3
Taster Day
Understand the programme, expectations, safeguarding and the two available tracks.
- 4
Foundational Phase
Eight weeks building personal, digital, financial, career and enterprise skills.
- 5
Career guidance
Assess your strengths, interests and aspirations before choosing your track.
- 6
Track training & exposure
Employment: internship placement and job shadowing. Enterprise: mentoring and business coaching.
- 7
Completion
Meet the training and practical activity requirements and receive a certificate of completion.
- 8
Alumni community
Keep learning, collaborating and accessing networks and opportunities.
What You Leave With
- Foundational soft skills plus specialised work-readiness or enterprise-development skills
- Career guidance and track-selection counselling
- Mentoring from experienced professionals and business leaders
- Practical exposure through an internship placement or structured business mentoring
- Peer learning through a Community of Practice
- Transport stipends and refreshments during training
- A certificate upon successful programme completion
- Continued alumni learning, networking and links to employment or enterprise opportunities
Training Details
Duration
8-week Foundational Phase, then a 14–16 week track
Weekly session
Wednesdays, 10am – 2pm
Venue
Novare Hall, Shoprite, Dalaba Street, Wuse, Abuja
Sponsorship
Sponsored by the British Council; transport stipends and refreshments provided
Participants complete practical assignments between sessions. Mentoring, internships, job shadowing and enterprise visits may be scheduled separately from the weekly training session.
Ready to take your next step?
Create a candidate account to apply, or continue from your portal if you already have one.
For enquiries