Helping young people break out and move into new economies
Spotlight on the work of INCO, a global organization chosen for the 2025 Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator. INCO gives people from low-income and traditionally excluded groups the skills they need for digital and green jobs.
How do young people from underserved communities learn the skills they need to start careers or become entrepreneurs in the digital and green economies?
That’s the challenge tackled by INCO, a global social enterprise committed to unlocking potential through programs that help to break poverty and cycles of exclusion.
Its programs empower young people from low-income and traditionally excluded groups to build skills and professional development that will enable them to find jobs in future-proof industries such as digital technologies, sustainability, and renewable energy.
INCO was chosen by the Global Business Coalition for Education to take part in the 2025 Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator. With employers across all sectors in the United States struggling to find young talent with the expertise they need, the Accelerator is part of a nationwide drive to ensure that by 2030 all young Americans will have the skills needed to find work in a rapidly-changing job market.
The Accelerator equips nonprofits with the tools and support they need to make a real difference in the lives of young people from underserved communities.
Mathieu Planchard, Global Managing Director at INCO Academy, said: “We’re working on addressing the barriers that young people from underserved communities face in accessing meaningful employment in the green and digital economy. By being part of the Accelerator, we hope to expand our skilling programs across the U.S., equipping youth with the skills needed for high-demand roles in future-proof industries.”
Founded in 2011, INCO operates in more than 140 countries and impacts 60,000 to 70,000 young people each year. It does that through programs designed to prepare them for high-demand roles while addressing challenges like limited education, socio-economic constraints, migration status, and disabilities.
The Accelerator will also open doors to new partnerships with businesses, government entities, and public stakeholders
Mathieu Planchard, Global Managing Director at INCO Academy
In total, more than 500,000 people have learned new skills and been connected with employment opportunities.
INCO Academy addresses employment barriers by providing specialized skilling and professional development opportunities tailored to the needs of the green and digital economy. Targeted training is offered in digital, green, and renewable energy skills. By expanding equitable access to these career opportunities, INCO aims to empower individuals with better jobs, fair compensation, and the potential for upward social mobility.
INCO Entrepreneurs tackles the issue of lack of access to funding, skills, and networks for young people whose ideas tackle pressing social and environmental issues. INCO programs support aspiring entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups to launch and grow their small companies through specialist coaching and business services.
INCO applied to join the Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator because it wants to expand its impact by scaling up programs to serve a larger and more diverse population.
Planchard said “Participating in the Accelerator will be extremely useful in helping us achieve our impact goals by connecting us with like-minded organizations committed to empowering underserved jobseekers, advancing skills development, and equipping them with the skills for the future.”
“We will have the opportunity to exchange insights and share valuable learnings, enriching our own approaches with proven strategies from others in the field. The Accelerator will also open doors to new partnerships with businesses, government entities, and public stakeholders, enabling us to strengthen and expand our programs through sharing curricula, expertise, and best practices.”
INCO Community and the other organizations in the 2025 Accelerator will join the alumni network of 28 previous participants, which collectively have positively impacted more than 250,000 young people. When they complete the program, nonprofits and their leaders stay in the growing network – helping them to work with others and get peer support.
Businesses that support the Accelerator have opportunities to enhance brand recognition and strengthen community ties. They can also provide pro-bono products and services to support participating organizations.
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