As part of the pilot project "Youth Internship" in Kyrgyzstan, young people can integrate into the labor environment and gain their first work experience. The Ministry of Labor, Social Security, and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic announced the launch of this initiative, which is supported by the World Bank.
This project is a response to the challenging employment situation for youth, allowing them to undergo internships in private and public institutions. In 2024-2025, the program will cover 30 districts and cities of the republic.
Since the program began, 1,851 participants have completed internships, and 1,332 of them have found jobs. Young people are primarily employed in the garment and food industries, the service sector (including catering, medical services, and the beauty industry), as well as in the banking and social sectors.
The main goal of the program is to provide interns with not only theoretical knowledge but also practical work experience, enabling them to master teamwork, meet deadlines, and adhere to professional standards.
The stories of participants demonstrate that this program truly helps overcome the barrier of "no experience – no job" and opens doors to professional activities.
Participant Stories
Dastanbek Kolumbaev, who is currently working as a lawyer at the Manas City Hall, has come a long way from being a graduate of the University of Economics and Entrepreneurship in 2018 to an intern. He learned about the program through a television report and applied to the city employment department, where he was offered a two-month internship at the Department of Land Resources.
During his internship, Dastanbek prepared documents, studied legislation in the field of land relations, and worked with citizens' appeals. After successfully completing the internship, he was offered a permanent position.
Sairagul Pazyl kyzy, who graduated from the Jalal-Abad College with a degree in "Finance-Credit," faced similar difficulties when she started looking for a job after maternity leave. Employers were only interested in experience, which she did not have.
By chance, she learned about the program, applied, and completed an internship at the State Institution "Cadastre." Sairagul noted that an important aspect for her was the scholarship she received during the internship — over eight thousand soms per month from the Ministry of Labor.
After a month, she was offered a permanent job at the institution. Currently, Sairagul considers her team a professional support system and thanks the project for the opportunity to be employed.
The stories of Dastanbek and Sairagul highlight that the internship allows overcoming a significant barrier on the path to a career — the lack of experience. This is beneficial for both employers and participants, who can demonstrate their skills in practice.
Transition from Learning to Work
Since September 2023, the second phase of the "Youth Internship" program has begun, expanding its scope. Now, the program can include not only graduates but also young people without professional education.
The new model is based on a cycle: participants first undergo short-term courses (up to 3.5 months), acquire a specialty, and then are directed to an internship (up to 6 months) in organizations or production. This allows them to integrate into the work process with the help of mentors and real tasks.
During the internship, participants receive a scholarship, allowing them to focus on their training. Upon completion of the internship, employers have the opportunity to hire interns for permanent positions, thereby creating a clear path: education — practice — employment.
The program covers 30 pilot cities and districts, and young people aged 16 to 35 who are unemployed and willing to undergo training followed by an internship can participate.
To participate, registration with the employment service is required, which can be done at the place of residence or by contacting one of the pilot regions. This is a mandatory step to begin participation in the program.
Necessary documents for registration include a passport (ID card), a work book if available, and educational diplomas.
The program is not intended for officially employed citizens or students who will not be able to remain in permanent employment after the internship.
In conditions where the economy demands practical skills and employers seek confirmed experience, youth faces challenges. The internship does not eliminate competition but provides an opportunity to gain the first official work experience, which is essential for starting a career. Thus, the program helps balance the labor market by connecting the skills needs of businesses with the employment aspirations of youth.
