Real-Time Jobs for Youth

October 2019 by Khatuna Sandroshvili

UNDP Georgia has been testing multi-action-based ecosystem model of urban development in the city of Rustavi for the past 18 months anchored in the city municipality Innovations hub and responding to global priorities for improved employability, new generation of skills building and economic development among others.

Photo: UNDP

The key issue cited by the city mayor at the onset discussing the overarching goal of testing innovative approaches to collaborative participation was the brain drain of the post-industrial city, where youth commutes daily to the capital for higher education and ultimately seeking employment away from home. Portfolio of pilots we launched for urban development also address this comprehensive task including self-employment support through (social) entrepreneurship skills development via opening up channels like Impact Hub Social Impact Award global cycle to local youth; and school level project based learning linking fab-lab solutions building models, as well as capitalizing on the partnerships built in Georgia and beyond with the private sector for youth employment shortening the time between skills building and income generation, allowing to combine education and part-time work, flexibility of working hours and place of work, and progressive on-job training.

Through the introduction of the Dutch private sector by the Embassy of Netherlands in Georgia and with the facilitation of UNDP, a pro-bono pilot was launched earlier this year between the city municipality and Effect A.I. – the company creating the global network for accelerating tech for good, and serving the purpose of fair distribution of technology through circular distribution of assets supporting transparency, equality and opportunity for as many people and organizations around the world. Through blockchain based platform Effect A.I. works for artificial intelligence development and its equal distribution; creates fairly paid jobs around the world and helps create algorithms that solve the world’s pressing challenges.

The test employment scheme attracted university students living in Rustavi and studying in the capital with diverse learning backgrounds: from social workers to international relations and business management. They were given access to Effect A.I. platform, basic introduction to the basic level tasks, continuous mentorship and weekly monitoring schedule, resulting in the income generation from the second month of the registration. All of the 15 students remain on the platform as freelancers to present day and provided positive feedback on the experience highlighting: the importance of joining global network – their projects could come from both private and public entities across the globe; constant access to support and guidance from mentors; flexibility of working hours and self-timing of tasks and their volume. All saw the opportunities to employ the skills acquired through this pilot in their main area of studies and future work; and some expressed willingness to pursue opportunities to further develop their skills in artificial intelligence.

UNDP partnered with UNICEF in Georgia to build on the pilot and take it further for youth groups that have little or not access to skills development or employment. The project is very much a work in progress. If you are interested and have experience to share, reach out!