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How the training of the "Academy of Young Financiers" helped Aigerim get the desired job created by akf local impact project

After getting her Master's degree in finance at Kyrgyz National University, Sagynalieva Aigerim applied for jobs in her field unsuccessfully. After a year of searching, she had no choice but to work as an organizer of extracurricular activities at Gymnasium No. 13. Due to the large number of graduates majoring in finance and the limited positions in the field, Aigerim was forced to work outside of her field of study.

After awarding certificates to participants on successful completion of the training

Unfortunately, there is a big gap between supply and demand in the labor market in the Kyrgyz Republic. According to a statement made by a member of parliament of Kyrgyz Republic, among more than 10 thousand students studying finance in the Kyrgyz Republic, 80% of university graduates do not work in their specialty after graduation.

One of the reasons why it was not easy for Aigerim to find a job was her lack of work experience in the field. Aigerim tried to devote time after work to obtain additional skills required for her profession by studying accounting and soft skills such as interpersonal (people) skills and time management.

In February 2022, Aigerim saw an announcement on Instagram about a training to help youth find employment in financial and credit organizations. This training, titled "Academy of Young Financiers," would allow Aigerim to gain job skills and have the chance to intern and find employment with microfinance and commercial banks.

The training was organized by the Coalition of Employers and supported by Local Impact, a partnership between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Aga Khan Foundation. Established in 2020, the Coalition of Employers is a group comprised of leading and like-minded businesses, skills providers, and development partners, committed to investing in employable skills to create new job opportunities for male and female youth aged 18 - 29 years, specifically those from a marginalized background in the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan.

By participating in the training, Aigerim gained job skills such as how to prepare a resume and how to answer questions during an interview and learned about soft and hard skills. She was also inspired by hearing success stories and examples on how to achieve success and become a professional in the finance field.

The trainer motivated participants with real examples of how to achieve success and become a professional in their field.

At the end of the training, 20 students completed a two-week internship with eight microfinance organizations in Bishkek. Aigerim was placed with a micro-credit company "Baylik Finance," where she had the opportunity to apply her new skills. At the end of the internship, she was offered official employment in the same company!

Aigerim shared her thoughts on the importance of this opportunity in her career:

“I have only the most positive emotions. With the help of this training, I realized that it is possible to achieve my goal, regardless of my age and marital status. And of course, the invaluable experience and knowledge that I have gained will help me start my career with this excellent job that I’ve got.”

Seven other graduates of the Academy of Young Financiers were also offered employment at the end of their internships.

For Aigerim, the training was a turning point at the initial stage of her career. She’s glad that she took advantage of the opportunity, saying, “If not for the training, I would have stayed at school and continue working the job, which I actually didn't like much. I am very grateful to Local Impact for training and employment assistance. This is a cool opportunity for me and the rest of the participants who were looking for a decent job."

Created By
Ulukbek Adanbaev
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