Cities Consortium supports the alleviation of urban poverty amongst city youth  through vocational skilling and establishment of youth innovation centres. The objective is to equip the youth with skills that enable them to earn a living and become job creators as opposed to job seekers.

Under UPES (Urban  Poverty Eradication Scheme), youth are exposed to practical and technical skilling under the guidance of supervisors from different fields. Fields of skilling include among others; electrical wiring, plumbing, carpentry, motor mechanics, plastering, brick and block making, brick and block laying, painting, car panel repairs and spraying, sewing, hair dressing, lawn mowing and landscaping, tree and flower planting, work ethics and career guidance.

The duration of UPES courses is three months. Following completion of the course, students are awarded a Cities Consortium Skills Certificate and provided with tool boxes as a starter-pack in line with their field of study to support them in plying their new trade.