What It Is
Through BYU—Idaho Outreach, marketable skills are taught to returned missionaries in countries where these promising young people may otherwise slip back into a cultural and economic cycle of poverty. The Church's Perpetual Education Fund (PEF) has been organized similarly to this program except that skills taught through Outreach are done so utilizing BYU—Idaho personnel, facilities, and equipment.

Why It Is a Priority
Over the last few decades, the number of missionaries serving from countries other than the United States has increased tremendously. These young men and women are faithful members of the Church who serve the Lord diligently. A tragedy often occurs, however, upon returning to their homelands; after demonstrating a dutiful work ethic and leadership abilities, they find themselves without opportunities for worthwhile employment because they lack marketable skills or degrees.

After having left their homes, often sacrificing any opportunity they have had to further their educations, these young adults and their future families essentially end up economically penalized and often feel abandoned.

What It Does and How It Helps
In 1998 BYU—Idaho began a pilot for what has become Outreach. That first course was one of intensive training in metal fabrication and welding. Through the students’ high standards and commitment to the potential of better employment, they learned the skills quickly and proficiently. Following graduation they were hired at relatively high levels of position and pay. The success of the graduates of this course in Mexico City exemplifies the miraculous manner in which lives—and future generations—are changed simply by recognizing the strengths of returned missionaries and adding specific employable skills.

David LeBlanc, Managing Director at Lincoln Electric Mexicana, said, “The Mexican welding industry is constantly trying to employ people with strong ethics, professional discipline, maturity, and perhaps some welding experience. The industry is normally content to find two of these qualities in the people employed. Therefore, you can easily comprehend why we are so enthusiastic about the profile of these graduates who exceed all our aspirations in every aspect.”

You can help open previously unavailable opportunities for qualified youth by supporting Outreach and the training it provides for the job market. Eventually BYU—Idaho hopes to have the resources to add more programs in countries around the world. As more students are taught competitive skills, the fruits of its graduates will become more evident within LDS families in these developing countries.