A new government initiative called the "Youth Internship" has been launched in Kyrgyzstan, aimed at supporting young people in their integration into the labor market and gaining their first work experience. This was reported by the Ministry of Labor, Social Security, and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The problem of youth facing difficulties in finding stable employment is being addressed through this program, which is implemented in collaboration with a World Bank project. From 2024 to 2025, the program will cover 30 pilot cities and regions.
Currently, 1,851 participants have completed internships in various public and private institutions, of which 1,332 have been successfully employed. Young people are actively working in sectors such as textile and food production, services (e.g., catering, healthcare, beauty industry), as well as in banking and social sectors.
The program offers participants not only theoretical knowledge but also practical experience, allowing interns to immerse themselves in real work processes, master teamwork, and adhere to professional standards.
Participants' stories confirm that the "Youth Internship" is a real way to overcome the barrier of "no experience – no job".
Examples of Successful Internships
Dastanbek Kolumbaev, who has been working as a lawyer at the Manas city hall for 11 months, is one such example. In 2018, he graduated from the University of Economics and Entrepreneurship with a degree in law. After that, he worked in the private sector, not always in his professional field.
After learning about the program through a news segment on television, Dastanbek applied to the city employment department, where he was offered vacancies in his specialty. He completed a two-month internship at the Land Resources Department of the Manas city hall, where he prepared documents, studied regulations, and worked with citizens' appeals. After the internship, he successfully passed the competition and was hired as a lawyer.
Sairagul Pazyl kyzy, who graduated from the Jalal-Abad College with a degree in finance and credit, also faced the problem of lacking experience. After getting married and going on maternity leave, she found it difficult to find a job, as employers required prior experience.
Participating in the "Youth Internship" program became an opportunity for her. Sairagul completed a two-month internship at the State Institution "Cadastre" under the Land Resources Service. She noted that the program not only provided her with the opportunity to gain experience but also paid a stipend of over eight thousand soms per month.
A month after the internship, she was offered a permanent job, and now she expresses gratitude to the project for its support in employment. Sairagul believes that the program helped her not only find a job but also become part of a supportive team.
These examples demonstrate that internships successfully help young people overcome the main barrier at the start of their careers, while for employers, it is an opportunity to assess candidates in real conditions.
Transition to Real Work
Since September, the second phase of the "Youth Internship" program has started in the country. Previously aimed at graduates with diplomas, it now allows participation even for individuals without professional education.
The new approach involves a complete cycle: participants first undergo short-term professional courses (up to 3.5 months), after which they are sent for internships (up to 6 months) in organizations or production facilities. This includes working under mentorship and performing real tasks.
During the internship, the state provides participants with a stipend, which helps them focus on learning and adapting. After successfully completing the internship, employers can offer participants permanent jobs. Thus, the program creates a clear pathway: from training to practice and employment.
The program covers 30 pilot cities and regions of the country. Young people aged 16 to 35 who are unemployed and willing to undergo short-term training followed by an internship and employment can participate.
To participate in the program, it is necessary to register with the employment service, which is a mandatory first step. Registration can be done at the place of residence or by visiting one of the pilot regions. When registering, a passport (or ID card), work book (if available), and educational documents are required.
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, young people find themselves in a vulnerable situation. An internship, while not guaranteeing immediate success, significantly eases the entry into the profession by providing the first official work experience and connecting the needs of businesses with the demands of young specialists.
