Closing the global skills gap

We’re facing rising global unemployment and a skills gap that keeps widening. But the root cause isn’t a lack of talent: it’s a mismatch problem.

Eager blue-collar workers are unable to access training and development programs that are affordable and fit their lives, depriving them of the skills they need to do the work they’re capable of.

Similarly, skilled workers are unable to find opportunities that fit their qualifications, meaning that qualified frontline staff are sitting on their hands rather than contributing to the economy.

Furthermore, businesses trying to recruit skilled workers at scale are struggling to sift through hundreds of thousands of applications, meaning qualified workers get missed and businesses continue to face mammoth talent shortages.

We sat down with Impact Entrepreneur to talk about the global skills gap, and how gamified, mobile-first learning is helping match skilled and eager workers with employers ready to hire.

<h3The key takeaways
In our conversation with Impact Entrepreneur, we spoke about how billions of people are seeking skills and employment that can upgrade their lifestyle and provide a better future for their families. And that contrary to popular belief, the jobs do exist.

With changing compliance requirements, high turnover, and growing demand, businesses (particularly those in the logistics sector) are in constant need of capable employees who can get up to speed quickly, do the work well, and stay committed to their employer.</h3</h3

We also addressed how traditional learning methods don’t manage to simulate real-world experiences. A warehouse worker who has only ever studied from a textbook is more likely to make a mistake once he’s on the floor.

By co-creating gamified, app-based modules with the employer, we can make sure that all of their specific needs and challenges are addressed. Then, the stories, films, and games take the user on an interactive journey, so nothing feels unfamiliar once they start the job.

But what about hiring? The 21CC Skilled App connects recruiters looking for specific skills with workers who have just completed those modules, making it easier for qualified employees to find work.

As Impact Entrepreneur put it, “Progress is tracked through points, badges, and completion rates. Over time, these micro-credentials become something more meaningful: a digital skills passport that reflects what workers can actually do — in a language employers recognize.”

It was wonderful to speak with Impact Entrepreneur about our goals for the next few years, our reason to keep going, and how we’re servicing every stakeholder from Nairobi to Kolkata.

If you would like to read the full article, you can check it out here.