As an immigrant, SkillLab co-founder and business development partner Azza El Hayek, experienced the frustrations of a job market that overlooked her skills. This personal struggle fueled her passion to create a solution that empowers others.
Imagine having a wealth of skills and experience, eager to contribute, but struggling to navigate a job market obsessed with titles and qualifications. This is a common frustration for immigrants, refugees, and those facing language barriers. Traditional resumes often fail to capture the true essence of someone’s abilities.
Imagine a world where employers value your capabilities over job titles.
This disconnect between skills and opportunities creates a significant challenge, hindering both individuals and economies. Global studies have shown that this skills gap is even worse in Norway, Sweden, and Southern Europe and it could be responsible for €10.7bn in lost wages. That's a substantial amount of untapped potential.
SkillLab, a Dutch company with a global reach, was founded to address this very issue. Our mission is simple: connect people with jobs and education opportunities through a universal language — skills.
Imagine a world where employers value your capabilities over job titles. A world where your skills are recognised, and a company’s diverse and inclusive workforce reflects the diversity of the customers a business serves. By embracing diversity, you open your doors to a wider pool of talent, which is simply good business practice. In fact, it can even have an impact on your bottom line.
From immigrant to co-founder: My SkillLab journey
As a computer engineer and data analyst with years of experience working for the United Nations in Gaza, I have first-hand experience of the disconnect between skills and opportunities. Nearly 6 years ago, I relocated to Belgium with my family. Language barriers and a complex job market resulted in my initial job offer being completely unrelated to my skill set — farming, to be exact.
This experience exposed the shortcomings of the traditional system. Fortuitously, I met Ulrich Scharf, who was aware of these frustrations, and he was taking an innovative approach to solve them. That was the inception of SkillLab.
I had the privilege of being SkillLab's first user, testing the platform and providing valuable feedback during its development phase. My own experience as an immigrant navigating the job market proved instrumental in shaping the platform's functionalities.
Ulrich offered me a role as a Human-Centred Design Specialist. Based solely on the title, I likely wouldn't have applied. However, after understanding the required skills, I recognised it as a perfect fit.
Speaking the language of skills
Finding the right job can be challenging, especially for immigrants, young professionals, and those in remote areas. Identifying jobs that align with your skills is often the first hurdle. Language barriers can further complicate this process, making it difficult to translate your experience into a format that resonates with employers.
SkillLab bridges this gap by fostering a "social dialogue" within the labour market. We leverage AI, a powerful new technology, to tackle an age-old problem. By collaborating with employers and educational institutions, we break down roles by the skills they require, not just job titles.
Our app utilises AI to imitate an interview for potential employees, uncovering their hidden talents and experiences. This in-depth profiling goes beyond formal qualifications, capturing skills acquired through work, education, and even other life activities.
We leverage this information in multiple ways to support applicants. We can generate auto-translated CVs and skill-based materials, empowering individuals to effectively showcase their skills regardless of their native language.
And we also use this technology to connect job seekers with suitable job openings based on their unique skill set. This eliminates bias based on background or qualifications, ensuring a more equitable job search process. This fosters confidence and empowers individuals to pursue opportunities they might not have considered before.
Real people, real success stories
Our impact extends beyond statistics. We are constantly inspired by the incredible stories shared by our users.
One such example is a woman in Mexico who balanced the demands of family life while yearning for a career. Having spent most of her adult life managing household responsibilities, she didn't view herself as a valuable candidate in the job market.
SkillLab connected her to a future where her talents were valued, not overlooked.
Our app didn't just focus on formal qualifications; it unearthed the valuable skills she gained through managing her home and family. These might include managing household budgets, active listening, problem solving, or multitasking.
This process wasn't just about creating a CV, it was a journey of self-discovery. By recognising the transferable skills she possessed, this woman was empowered to see herself as a capable individual with something to offer outside of her daily routine.
This newfound confidence became a catalyst for change. With her skills mapped out, she could now explore career paths and opportunities that aligned with her strengths. SkillLab connected her to a future where her talents were valued, not overlooked.
The future of work: Skills speak volumes
The increasing number of CVs created on our platform — 3.5X more year-on-year — exemplifies the significant demand for skilled candidates.
Our ultimate goal is to foster a more inclusive and equitable labour market. By focusing on skills rather than traditional qualifications, employers can unlock the potential of a diverse workforce.
In today's globalised market, a diverse workforce is a competitive advantage. It expands the talent pool, fostering innovation and creative problem-solving. Diverse teams bring a wider range of experiences and perspectives, leading to better decision-making and a deeper understanding of the customer base. This translates to increased efficiency, market share growth, and ultimately, a stronger bottom line.
It's like an orchestra. Each instrument brings a unique voice, yet together they create a symphony far richer than any single note. A diverse workforce is the same. By blending different backgrounds and experiences, you unlock a powerhouse of creativity, innovation, and problem-solving.
