Pathways to Employment: How SkillLab's Purpose Drives Real-World Impact

At SkillLab, our values define who we are and how we operate. As we've shared in previous posts, we deeply value collaboration and maintain a learning mindset. (See: Social Life at SkillLab and SkillLab Life: What a Learning Mindset Means at SkillLab)

Today, you will learn about another crucial value: being purpose-driven. For us, being purpose-driven means empowering job seekers by creating pathways to employment. Our vision—that everyone has a pathway to employment—and our mission—connecting people with jobs and education through the universal language of skills—guide our every decision.

To achieve this, we operate with a theory of change, a framework that underpins our work and ensures we're creating meaningful impact. Let’s have a look.

Theory of Change: Unlocking Potential

Our theory of change describes the problem we are addressing, our solution and its outcomes. This framework helps us focus on the people we aim to serve, ensuring our technology supports the vital work of employment and career services.

At SkillLab, we address a core problem: many people are unaware of their skills, limiting their career potential. This lack of awareness has a profound impact on individuals worldwide, hindering their ability to access jobs and education and ultimately limiting their career pathways.

Based on our user research we identified that this problem stems from several factors. People, especially those excluded from the labor market, often:

• Aren't aware of the skills they have.
• Don't understand the skills they've acquired through diverse life experiences.
• Lack confidence in communicating their skills.
• Don't know how to progress in their careers or life conditions and feel stuck.

We provide a technological solution to help individuals identify and map skills from their life experiences, create professional documents, and explore career opportunities. By using the universal language of skills, we also support employment services in better guiding people, making SkillLab an integral part of labor inclusion.

This approach leads to positive outcomes: individuals recognize and value their skills, gain confidence in communicating them, and access more sustainable career paths, ultimately improving their livelihoods. What does this look like in practice?

Impact Stories

Here are a few examples of how we're making a difference:

Empowering Vulnerable Individuals

Our work with HIAS, a leading humanitarian and refugee assistance organization, supports refugees in navigating new labor markets in Panama and Mexico. We've witnessed firsthand how SkillLab can reshape lives by changing perspectives.

"For me, the most powerful thing of the app was to change mindsets. It showed opportunities that one would not see by just building a normal CV," says Lourdes, a counselor from Panama. It's about more than just a resume; it's about seeing new possibilities .

SkillLab boosts confidence and enables tangible progress. Take Danielis, a user in Ecuador, who shared, "The mobile application has given me confidence in my skills and abilities and has driven me to dream about the potential for my business.” This newfound confidence, combined with SkillLab's ability to highlight specific skills, has helped many like Danielis to pursue entrepreneurial dreams and secure meaningful employment.

Similarly, we empower young mothers, as we've highlighted in our previous work in Mexico. By helping them recognize the "invisible" skills they gain through childcare and household responsibilities, we provide a pathway to increased confidence and new opportunities. This empowerment is beautifully captured in Tania's reflection on discovering her skills: "I would tell all young mothers to use the app so they feel better about themselves by discovering the skills they have." from Mexico.

SkillLab helps these women see their potential, as illustrated by Tania's experience of discovering skills she didn't realize she had. By recognizing and articulating their skills, these young mothers are empowered to envision and pursue new pathways for personal and professional growth, transforming their lives and the lives of their families. 

Driving Social and Economic Inclusion

Our purpose extends beyond individual empowerment to driving broader social and economic inclusion. We believe that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, deserves the opportunity to participate fully in the economy.

In Ukraine, for example, we're working to support economic recovery by helping individuals connect with opportunities and contribute to the rebuilding of their nation. Our work with the State Employment Service of Ukraine is vital in this effort, providing people with the tools they need to navigate a challenging landscape.

"People see new possibilities for their lives," says career counselor Iryna, who shared that SkillLab helps people to see "new opportunities. They see that they can do other things and that their skills are relevant for different professions."This is precisely the kind of transformation we strive for. We're not just helping individuals find jobs; we're helping to rebuild communities and economies.

Facilitating Career Transitions and Growth

Beyond supporting vulnerable populations, our purpose is also centered on facilitating career transitions and growth for all individuals.

Whether it's helping individuals like Joanna in Finland to identify new career paths based on their existing skills, as she transitioned towards the food industry, SkillLab empowers people to take control of their career journeys. SkillLab also assists users in crafting compelling CVs that showcase their diverse experiences.

Users consistently share how SkillLab simplifies the process of recognizing their skills.

"The app was easier to use when compared to other tools. Once you understand how it works, you can fill it out fast. The coolest part is when there are skills you actually have and you don’t have to think about it or add it manually," says Marcela.

This ease of use is crucial for anyone looking to make a change, as it removes barriers and allows them to focus on their potential. We are committed to providing the tools and resources that enable individuals to thrive in a dynamic and evolving job market.

These examples show the transformative impact of our purpose-driven work. SkillLab empowers individuals to overcome barriers, achieve their career aspirations, and contribute meaningfully to society. We witness refugees building new lives, young mothers envisioning brighter futures, and people navigating career transitions with confidence. Ultimately, SkillLab is driving positive change by creating more inclusive economies and empowering individuals to thrive.

We invite you to learn more about these outcomes and join us in our mission to create a world where everyone has a pathway to employment.

Check our Career’s Page to find our open positions. Follow-ups on Skilllab Linkedin Learn more about our hiring process in this blogpost.