Preparing young people for the future of work takes more than access to technology. They also need relevant skills, exposure to different career paths, and opportunities to apply what they learn.
In this episode of The Coursera Podcast, Luis Fernando Ramírez, Minister of Education and Sciences of Paraguay, joins André Almeida, Vice President of Sales for Latin America at Coursera and Udemy, to discuss Jóvenes Conectados, a national initiative that brings together government, educators, employers, telecommunications companies, and Coursera to create new pathways for young people.
Minister Ramírez shares what Paraguay has learned as the program has grown, including the strong demand for communication and other human skills and the value of letting students learn at their own pace. He also discusses how public-private partnerships can expand access, how digital learning can help education systems respond more quickly to changing workforce needs, and why confidence and a sense of purpose matter alongside job-ready skills.
This interview is conducted in Spanish, with an English introduction and conclusion from Coursera’s Anthony Salcito.
We also cover:
🧠 Why critical thinking is becoming more important for young people
🤝 How public-private partnerships helped Paraguay move faster
🎓 What students’ choices reveal about how they want to learn
💼 Why digital learning works best alongside real-world experience
📱 How telecommunications partners are helping expand access
📊 How learning data can help education systems adapt more quickly
🌱 Why confidence and purpose are important measures of impact
If you’re interested in how governments, education systems, and organizations are using online learning to expand access to job-relevant skills, explore learning programs and resources on Coursera.org.