22 October 2026
Summary
The State Employment Agency, with the support of the Social Services Agency, both of which operate under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan, has launched a project to enhance the labour market readiness and social integration of young people deprived of parental care, primarily targeting those aged 15–18. The project provides career guidance, soft skills training, vocational support, and innovative approaches such as a skills wallet and an engineering education laboratory to improve beneficiaries' employability and long-term career prospects. By engaging young people while they are still in upper secondary education, the project aims to strengthen career awareness, support informed educational and career choices, and facilitate a successful transition into the labour market.
Organisation
The State Employment Agency under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Context/ Social issues addressed
Young people leaving alternative care institutions who have been deprived of parental care often face significant barriers when entering the labour market. Compared with their peers, they are less competitive because they have limited access to career guidance, professional networks, and practical work experience. As a result, they frequently struggle to secure stable employment, experience uncertainty in their career choices, change occupations more often, and have lower job retention rates. Without targeted support in career planning, skills development, and post-employment mentoring, many remain at higher risk of unemployment, social exclusion, and long-term economic vulnerability.
Young people leaving social service institutions (orphanages) often have limited access to technical training and career development opportunities, which restricts their employment prospects. As a result, they are more likely to enter low-skilled service-sector jobs and remain underrepresented in engineering, technical, and other high-demand professions that require specialised knowledge and practical skills. This disparity limits their competitiveness in the labour market, reduces their earning potential, and constrains their long-term career development.
Objectives
- Enhance the readiness of beneficiaries of social service institutions (orphanages) for sustainable integration into the labour market and society by providing technical support to assess their employability, develop individual career roadmaps, and cultivate necessary vocational skills.
- Supporting the beneficiaries through continuous professional and personal development programmes before and after employment.
- Establishing sustainable support mechanisms for beneficiaries of social service institutions and improving their relevant infrastructure.
Activities
To achieve its objectives, the project has implemented the following activities:
- Organised individual advisory and career counselling services to identify candidates’ strengths and weaknesses, interests and abilities, and recommend potential professions in which they could succeed and develop professionally.
- Organised a Career Bootcamp: Strengthened candidates’ soft skills through dedicated training sessions, raised awareness of future job and career opportunities, and supported participants in developing career-readiness skills, such as preparing effective CVs and preparing for job interviews.
The following activities are currently in progress:
- Direct beneficiaries to vocational training programmes organised by the State Employment Agency: track their progress in vocational and higher education, refer those who do not successfully complete vocational training to alternative opportunities, and recommend suitable candidates to potential employers within the project.
- Pilot the skills wallet approach and collect lessons learned to improve it further.
- Track their progress after employment and provide dedicated on-the-job and soft-skills training to give them a competitive advantage, support job retention, and create opportunities for career advancement.
- Integrate the entire support-system pipeline into the State Employment Agency's organisational structure to provide sustainable support for the target group.
- Develop a pilot project to support social service institutions (orphanages) with the necessary engineering education infrastructure (establishment of a robotechnical laboratory): The engineering laboratory will help develop future engineers and provide children with an environment that encourages interest in engineering. The laboratory will be furnished and equipped with the necessary curriculum, teaching and learning materials, and one year of outsourced trainer support.
Outcomes
The project started in April 2026. As of the end of July 2026, 57 project beneficiaries had participated in individual consultations organised by the Central Career Branch of the State Employment Agency. As a result, the project collected the necessary background information to develop individual career roadmaps. As a follow-up action, each beneficiary will receive individual career counselling.
24 beneficiaries attended the Career Bootcamp, where they strengthened their soft skills and increased their awareness of future job and career opportunities. Participants also developed skills in preparing effective CVs, learned what to expect during job interviews, and improved their preparedness for future interviews and entry into the labour market. After the Career Bootcamp, all beneficiaries continue to access the Public Employment Agency’s free employment support services. They receive information on available services, contact details for further assistance, and guidance on accessing vocational training programmes at vocational training centres, as well as other relevant employment opportunities and support measures. These services help beneficiaries take practical steps toward employment and career development.
Principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights
| 1. Education, training, life-long learning | 2. Gender equality |
| 3. Equal opportunities | 4. Active support to employment |
| 5. Secure and adaptable employment | 6. Fair Wages |
| 7. Transparent employment conditions | 8. Social dialogue |
| 9. Work-life balance | 10. Healthy, safe work environment |
| 11. Childcare and child support | 12. Social protection |
| 13. Unemployment benefits | 14. Minimum income |
| 15. Old age income and pensions | 16. Health care |
| 17. Inclusion of people with disabilities | 18. Long-term care |
| 19. Housing and assistance to the homeless | 20. Access to essential services |
Funding Source
National Government Funds
Links to supporting documents
Comments and tips
Setting a more individual approach tailored to the capacity and strengths of the beneficiaries; In organising trainings, focusing on dynamic activity - based content delivery schemes; Setting a more individual approach tailored to the capacity and strengths of the beneficiaries; In organising trainings, focusing on dynamic activity - based content delivery schemes;