Gamified Learning for Career Security

The U.S. workforce faces critical challenges, with 44% of workers earning low wages and mid- to late-career adults struggling with career uncertainty, rising costs, and limited access to reskilling resources. These issues are especially severe in underserved Hispanic communities, where systemic barriers hinder access to tools and support needed for stable careers.

Hispanic workers make up nearly 18% of the U.S. labor force, but they face higher unemployment and underemployment, with only 16% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Language barriers, limited access to education, and a lack of culturally relevant workforce solutions worsen these disparities.

Hispanic communities face significant inequities in education, professional training, and resources. Around 16 million Hispanic adults lack postsecondary education and nearly 70% work in jobs with limited upward mobility. Additionally, 43% of Hispanic families cite financial constraints as a barrier to achieving their educational and career goals.

Aprende y Prospera (AYP) addresses these challenges by providing gamified learning experiences for Hispanic mid- and late-career workers. AYP’s programs integrate career navigation tools and wraparound services, helping individuals enhance their skills and achieve economic mobility. With a proven track record, AYP is well-positioned to create meaningful change.

Our proposal aims to create a gamified learning ecosystem to enhance the employability of unemployed and underemployed adults, empowering them to improve job opportunities. This ecosystem integrates innovative strategies, accessible technologies, and collaborative actions to offer a learning experience tailored to the real needs of participants in high-demand careers in the labor market.

How it works:

Skills Assessment: Users complete an initial evaluation to identify their strengths, areas for improvement, and career goals, creating a personalized profile. They receive coaching support to develop soft skills for achieving their goals.

Modular and Gamified Learning: Flexible learning paths combine self-guided modules and interactive activities. Users earn points, unlock badges, and progress by overcoming challenges that strengthen technical and soft skills.

Mentoring and Collaborative Networks: Through virtual mentoring and interactive forums, participants receive personalized guidance and share experiences with a learning community.

Workplace Simulations: Practical scenarios replicate real-world challenges, allowing users to apply knowledge in safe, guided environments.

Interactive Learning Platform: Combines modular learning, gamification, and mobile access, with a reward system and job opportunity showcase that connects emerging talent with employers.

Partnerships with the Workforce Sector: The ecosystem collaborates with companies and organizations to offer internships, employment opportunities, and relevant certifications.

Our solution targets mid- to late-career Hispanic adults in the U.S., who are disproportionately impacted by systemic barriers to economic mobility. This group often faces challenges such as language barriers, limited access to culturally relevant reskilling opportunities, and career navigation tools. Many are underemployed or work in low-wage jobs with limited growth potential, leaving them vulnerable to economic instability.

Hispanic workers represent 18% of the U.S. labor force, yet are overrepresented in industries most affected by automation and underrepresented in high-paying, stable careers. Only 16% have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and many lack access to affordable, flexible training aligned with labor market demands.

Our gamified learning solution directly addresses these challenges by offering accessible, engaging, and culturally tailored training in high-demand fields like project management, digital marketing, e-commerce, and data analytics. We integrate mentorship, career coaching, and logistical support to help participants overcome barriers and confidently navigate career transitions.

This solution empowers underserved workers by equipping them with the tools to achieve economic mobility, improve job security, and create brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their communities. At AYP, we aim to provide inclusive, flexible education to those traditionally excluded from higher education and career advancement opportunities.

Aprende y Prospera is deeply rooted in a diverse community of Hispanic professionals who immigrated to the United States as adults. Our team’s personal experiences reflect the challenges faced by many adult immigrants, such as economic constraints, limited opportunities, and a lack of support networks. These obstacles often led us to low-skilled jobs, far removed from our aspirations and professional training.

This shared journey gives us a deep understanding of the struggles adult immigrants face, particularly the lack of tailored support systems that are more readily available to younger immigrants. Over the past two years, we’ve engaged with over a hundred Hispanic immigrants through virtual forums and specialization courses, uncovering a significant digital divide that hinders their professional growth.

In response to the needs of adult learners, we are redesigning our programs by integrating innovation with gamification, game-based learning, and serious games to provide accessible and effective solutions for reskilling and upskilling, addressing the realities of Hispanic adults facing time, energy, and resource constraints. By offering digital skills, professional training, entrepreneurial education, and coaching to enhance soft skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership in a highly engaging, fun, and motivating experience, we are empowering them, enhancing their opportunities, and providing them with critical skills for success in the globalized labor market.

As members of this community, our team brings an authentic, empathetic perspective to program design and implementation. We are committed to empowering individuals to develop their talents, improve their economic situations, and contribute to their communities. Through our work, we aim to bridge gaps in technology and professional development, creating opportunities for adult Hispanic immigrants to thrive in a globalized job market. Together, we want to create a world where every person has access to quality education that guarantees employment and allows them to reach their full potential.

Aprende y Prospera (Learn and Prosper) was born in June 2020 during an MIT Latin America Vs. Covid Hackathon with the mission of training and empowering young people facing unemployment or informal work. Since then, we have built a learning community with solid and consistent educational solutions that combine experiential learning and comprehensive training in short careers that are in high demand in the labor market.

Our learning and collaboration community has been strengthened by the efforts of multidisciplinary and multigenerational teams from over 20 countries across Latin America, the United States, and Europe. These dedicated volunteers teach in our virtual classrooms and design programs such as Project Management and Innovative Leadership, E-commerce and Digital Marketing, Instructional Design and Digital Didactics, and Circular Entrepreneurship and Innovation. These virtual live-taught programs, supported by activities on our Moodle platform, provide practical tools that prepare participants for global employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The impact of Aprende y Prospera spans 19 countries, where our students have transformed their lives through our educational approach. We are committed to accessible, high-quality education and are working to position us, as an online educational institution that provides training for job security.

Landing page: https://aprendeyprospera.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aprende-y-prospera-latam/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Aprende.y.Prospera.Latinoamerica/

Our solution is innovative because it combines a gamified approach with a comprehensive ecosystem that addresses workforce reskilling needs from multiple dimensions, integrating technology, experiential learning, and community collaboration. Unlike traditional platforms offering generic training, our ecosystem personalizes the user journey—from initial assessment to job placement—ensuring each step is relevant, engaging, and impactful.

What Sets It Apart:

1. Modular and Gamified Learning: Game-based design motivates participants while fostering active and sustained learning.
2. Collaborative Network and Mentorships: Social learning is prioritized, building supportive communities that enrich the educational experience.
3. Immersive Job Simulations: Real-world scenarios provide immediate, practical experience to apply and refine skills.
4. Labor Market Integration: Strategic partnerships with businesses ensure participants gain skills valued in today’s job market.

Key Features:

• Interactive Learning Platform: A digital platform combining modular learning, gamification, and mobile access, offering flexibility for adult learners.
• Serious Games: Simulating workplace environments to enhance decision-making and practical application.
• Rewards System: Levels and incentives that keep participants motivated and engaged.
• Talent Bank: A database showcasing participant profiles to corporate partners, connecting learners to job opportunities.
• Game-Based Training: Interactive educational games targeting critical skills like leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving, alongside industry-specific content.

This dynamic ecosystem transforms reskilling into an engaging, user-centered experience. By blending practical training with immersive learning and strategic connections to the labor market, it empowers individuals to enhance their employability, build confidence, and achieve their full professional and personal potential. Our long-term goal is to foster an inclusive, adaptable workforce and provide mid- to late-career adults with the tools to thrive in a rapidly changing job market.

Our impact objectives center on transforming the lives of mid- to late-career Hispanic adults in the U.S. by empowering them to achieve economic mobility, job security, and professional growth. Our solution aims to create lasting, measurable change by addressing systemic barriers to workforce advancement. Specifically, our impact objectives are:

1. Increase Economic Mobility: Equip participants with in-demand skills to transition into higher-paying, stable careers within six months of program completion.

2. Indicator: Percentage of program graduates securing employment or promotions within six months. (Target: 80%)

3. Enhance Job Security and Career Readiness: Build participants’ confidence and readiness to navigate career transitions successfully.

4. Indicator: Improvement in self-reported confidence levels and career readiness scores post-training. (Target: 90% positive feedback)

5. Strengthen Local Workforce Ecosystems: Align training with local labor market needs to address skills gaps in high-demand industries.

6. Indicator: Number of partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, and government entities to support job placement and training alignment. (Target: At least 10 partnerships in each implementation area)

7. Expand Access to Education and Training: Provide culturally tailored, accessible training opportunities for underserved Hispanic workers.

8. Indicator: Number of participants completing the program annually. (Target: 300 participants per year in initial rollout)

We measure progress using quantitative and qualitative methods, including pre- and post-program surveys, employment tracking, and feedback from participants and partners. Additionally, we utilize a robust data management system to monitor real-time metrics, enabling us to refine our approach and ensure continuous improvement.

Our ultimate goal is to create systemic change by empowering Hispanic adults to break the cycle of low-wage work and achieve brighter futures for themselves and their communities. With Truist Foundation’s support, we aim to scale these efforts and amplify our impact across underserved U.S. regions.

We plan to run three specialized courses and one entrepreneurship course. Therefore, we have identified the need for the following staff during a three-month preparation period:

Full-Time Staff:

• 4 Instructional Designers
• 2 Project Managers
• 1 Product Manager
• 1 Graphic and Media Specialist
• 1 Technology Expert
• 1 Software Developer for the platform

Part-Time Staff:

• 4 Student Experience Coordinators
• 1 Curricular Development Specialist
• 1 IT Expert
• 1 Quality Assurance Specialist
• 2 Graphic/Media Designers
• 1 Coaching Coordinator
• 1 Mentor Coordinator

Contractors and Mentors:

• 35 Instructors (Contractors)
• 20 Assistant Professors
• 20 Mentors

Since our founding in June 2020, we have developed multiple courses and pilot programs that have allowed us to solidify our academic offerings for job security in two areas:

• Career pathways: Specializations that prepare individuals to work in short careers of high demand.
• Entrepreneurship: Pre-incubation courses for aspiring entrepreneurs.

In 2022, we launched our first specialization, Project Management

In 2023, we added E-commerce and Digital Marketing, and Entrepreneurship: Project Lab (pre-incubation).

In 2024, Instructional Design and Digital Didactics.

Our courses include game-based learning elements, and we aim to expand gamification strategies to create more memorable learning experiences.

The leadership team of Aprende y Prospera reflects the cultural diversity of the beneficiaries we serve, integrating professionals from various nationalities, backgrounds, and experiences. Our structure includes diverse professionals from Latin America, United States and Europe who have overcome labor integration challenges, specialists in inclusive education, and community leaders with a deep understanding of the current needs of the Latino population and those with limited resources. This approach ensures that our solutions are culturally relevant and respond to the realities of our beneficiaries.

In our collaborators and participating students, we foster autonomous and critical thinking. Our organization is rich in diversity, which makes our programs accessible and promotes empathy and cultural understanding in a broad way. We work to cultivate in the participants an entrepreneurial spirit that encourages diversity, multiculturalism, and fair and sustainable business practices.

To promote greater diversity, equity, and inclusion, we have established as a strategic objective to become a certified academic entity that provides the highest number of scholarships worldwide to people in economically and socially disadvantaged situations. In addition, we prioritize the inclusion of professional volunteers who share experiences similar to those of our users, fostering empathy and cultural understanding in every interaction.

Among the actions taken, we highlight the implementation of materials for people with disabilities, ensuring that our impact is accessible to all. These efforts are an integral part of our mission to build an equitable future for Spanish-speaking individuals in labor transition.

Aprende y Prospera (AYP) operates a mission-driven business model that delivers innovative career readiness programs and mentorship to emerging talent in the Hispanic community, addressing systemic barriers to economic mobility.

Value Proposition:

AYP offers culturally tailored training, reskilling, and upskilling opportunities in high-demand fields such as Project Management, E-commerce and Digital Marketing, Instructional Design and Digital Didactics, and Business Pre-incubation courses for entrepreneurs. By integrating wraparound services—including mentorship, career coaching, and logistical support—AYP empowers participants to navigate career transitions effectively while fostering long-term economic mobility.

Key Beneficiaries:

Our primary beneficiaries are emerging talent members of the Hispanic community who face unique challenges, including language barriers, limited access to training, and economic instability. AYP also engages businesses and nonprofits, aligning workforce development efforts with labor market needs to create a stronger, more inclusive local economy.

Revenue Model:

AYP sustains its work through a diversified revenue strategy, including partnerships, donor contributions, and grants. Additionally, we leverage in-kind resources from a robust volunteer network of industry professionals who provide mentorship and instruction, significantly reducing program delivery costs.

Delivery Mechanism:

Our solution is delivered online via a user-friendly platform to accommodate participants balancing work and family commitments. The platform incorporates gamified learning modules, interactive tools, and live coaching and mentoring sessions to maximize engagement and ensure practical, job-ready skills development.

Why It Works:

Participants value AYP's affordable, flexible training tailored to their cultural and economic context. The program's alignment with industry needs ensures beneficiaries are equipped for sustainable, high-quality employment. Community and business stakeholders benefit from a skilled workforce driving local economic growth.

Future Sustainability:

AYP's strong focus on partnerships and diversifying funding streams positions us for long-term sustainability. Our scalable, volunteer-supported model allows for expansion into the vast Hispanic community while maintaining high standards of program quality and impact.

Financial Sustainability Plan and Evidence of Success

Aprende y Prospera (AYP) has developed a multi-pronged financial sustainability strategy integrating grant funding, partnerships, and scalable revenue streams. Our immediate focus is securing sustained support through grants, like the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards, to strengthen our foundation and expand our innovative gamified learning solution for underserved communities. Over time, we aim to diversify our income sources to ensure long-term sustainability.

Donation-Based Support:To date, AYP has successfully secured in-kind contributions that have enabled us to provide high-quality, no-cost training to participants. For example, we awarded 49 full scholarships in 2023, and 378 in 2024 thanks to our donors who share our vision for economic mobility through education.

Scalable Revenue Streams:

AYP plans to introduce affordable subscription-based access to our gamified learning platform for employed participants and organizations looking to train their staff. This revenue model will allow us to generate income while maintaining accessibility for those in need. Additionally, we will explore service contracts with government agencies and corporations to deliver tailored workforce development programs aligned with regional labor market needs.

Evidence of Success and Proven Impact:

AYP’s programs have consistently delivered measurable outcomes. Our track record of volunteer growth—from 137 new volunteers across twenty-two countries in 2024—further reflects the scalability and impact of our model. Furthermore, we have cultivated strong relationships with corporate sponsors and community organizations, demonstrating our ability to effectively attract sustained support and scale.

Long-Term Vision:

By leveraging the resources and expertise offered through the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards, we will expand our financial model, integrate new revenue streams, and scale our solution to serve more communities. This holistic approach ensures that our income streams align with our mission, covering projected costs while driving transformational change for mid and late-career adults.

We are applying to the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards to seize the opportunity to access financial support and strategic resources that will enable us to expand our gamified learning solution. Collaborating with Truist Foundation and MIT Solve offers access to an unparalleled network of mentors, development workshops, and a community of peers, which are critical for scaling our impact and refining our approach. Through the six-month wraparound support program, we could address key barriers, including limited funding for technology upgrades and a need for expert guidance to optimize our gamified platform. The Truist Leadership Institute retreat and learning modules would provide the strategic insights necessary to enhance our business model, refine our theory of change, and scale operations effectively. Participating in the annual Solve at MIT event would connect us with potential partners and funders who share our vision for using innovation to drive economic mobility. These connections are vital for building coalitions with businesses and government agencies within Truist’s footprint, ensuring our program aligns with local workforce needs. Ultimately, this partnership would accelerate our mission to improve job security and career navigation through gamified learning, allowing us to serve more mid- and late-career adults in underserved communities. The Inspire Awards represent a transformative opportunity to expand our reach, deepen our impact, and fulfill our vision of empowering individuals through innovative education and collaboration.