Digital Skill Passport and AI Job Match Platform for Informal Workers

Objective: To enable informal-sector workers to verify skills and connect with local employers using a digital skill-certification and job-matching platform.

Problem: Over 80% of India's workforce is employed in the informal sector, including construction, domestic work, and street vending, with limited access to formal skill certification and reliable job opportunities. These workers often lack documented proof of skills, making it difficult to secure decent, stable livelihoods. This challenge aligns with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by addressing barriers to fair work and income for vulnerable populations.

Solution: The proposed solution is a mobile-first digital platform that enables informal workers to self-register, record and verify their skills through peer and employer endorsements, and receive low-cost digital certificates. An AI-driven job-matching engine connects certified workers to local employers seeking specific skills, using open government and NGO job feeds.

Key Features: Worker onboarding via Aadhaar-free KYC, skill portfolio builder, digital certification workflow, employer module for job postings, and a job-matching dashboard. The prototype will integrate with platforms like the National Career Service Open APIs and leverage open geospatial and occupational datasets for context-aware matching. Usability-tested mobile and web interfaces will ensure accessibility for low-literacy users.

Impact: The project aims to increase verified employment opportunities and income stability for at least 200 pilot users in an urban slum cluster. Metrics include number of certified workers, job placements, and income uplift. The platform is designed for easy localization and scaling through NGO, CSR, or government partnerships, impacting millions of informal workers across India.