The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has supported the expansion of free online courses on the Skills Enbek educational platform, part of the Electronic Labor Exchange ecosystem Enbek.kz, to help Kazakhstan’s population acquire in-demand qualifications. These courses, designed for beginners and those continuing their education, include Data Science, Python, Internet Security, and Product and HR Management.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, global and national labor markets underwent structural changes. The slowdown in economic activity, the transition to remote work, digitalization, and automation have become the main post-crisis trends. Many sectors now require employees to apply digital skills and master new technologies and software.

Although more opportunities for job seekers have emerged with the growth of freelancing, outsourcing, and remote work, the labor market faces an overabundance of low-skilled or unskilled personnel who are not in demand by employers, and a shortage of qualified specialists, especially in technical fields. The rapidly changing requirements of employers also create a mismatch between supply and demand in the market.

The courses are designed to support the adaptation of the country’s population, especially the most vulnerable groups, to labor market changes by retraining and developing new skills, including digital ones. 

These courses are available in Kazakh and Russian and have a duration of 72 hours, with adaptations for students with diverse learning needs. Upon completion, students will acquire specific digital skills or additional competencies in a professional field. They receive a certificate of completion, which is automatically reflected in their resume on the Electronic Labor Exchange Enbek.kz, enhancing their employment prospects.

The project was implemented as part of the UNDP in Kazakhstan’s initiative “Solidarity Fund for Kazakhstan in Fighting Against the COVID-19 Pandemic,” with financial support from the Asian Development Bank. 

The courses are available through the Enbek mobile app on Google Play and the App Store.