Ruslan Hudikov, 27 years old, successfully graduated from a university abroad, having received the chosen profession of a lawyer. Like many young people, he dreamed of getting a good job and was sure that everything would turn out easily and immediately. Upon arrival to his homeland, Ruslan faced an unexpected problem for himself - there was no ready-made workplace for him.

Difficulties that Ruslan faced are familiar to many young people. Lack or short of professional experience, incomplete resume, lack of skills during interviews, low self-esteem, lack of confidence in their knowledge and skills, lack or a limited number of acquaintances and friends who can advise where to turn on employment issues - all this prevents many young people from finding suitable place to work. Ruslan was thinking about starting his own business but could not realize his plans due to the vagueness of ideas and lack of skills in developing a business plan and running a business.

“For five years, I was in a position where my career development was uncertain. When I returned home, I thought that successful career, big salary, and many new opportunities were waiting for me. But the global economic crisis made itself felt. I remained in a position where I did not know where to go and who to ask for help,” Ruslan remembers.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the project “Strengthening Community Resilience and Regional Cooperation to Prevent Violent Extremism in Central Asia” funded by the Japanese government, conducts trainings for young people in Ashgabat, Tejen, Turkmenabat, Mary, Turkmenbashi and Dashoguz cities, including nearby rural areas to overcome difficulties of employment, to develop leadership and business skills.

The goal of the project is to create jobs for young people in order to reduce socio-economic pressures by creating employment opportunities and giving young people the opportunity to improve their social inclusion and ability to participate in the labor market, to promote peace and security. The project actively involves partners from both the private and public sectors who provide career development for the participants.

In 2018, through his friends Ruslan heard about the activities of the UNDP project and took part in trainings.

“The project helped me psychologically, did not let my spirit go down. It gave me knowledge and instilled confidence, which I did not have at that moment,” Ruslan notes.

From the very first days of the project in Dashoguz, Ruslan actively participated in various trainings, round tables, meetings and events. Thus, during one of the events, Ruslan attracted the attention of the project partner, showing his best side and demonstrating good knowledge of the English language. Representatives of the local education department of the Dashoguz velayat liked Ruslan very much, who invited him to work as a teacher at the school. Ruslan has been working at as an English teacher for 2 years.

“I never thought that I would work as a teacher,” Ruslan says. “But from the first days of my work at school, I fell in love with this profession. I am very pleased to contribute to the upbringing of children, to give them knowledge, to conduct interesting cognitive lessons, give advice in difficult situations and help them to make decision on their future profession. Children are our future,” Ruslan says with pride.

Ruslan continues to take part in various activities of the project, even after solving his issues with employment. He actively advises new members and tries to be useful to young people who are in a difficult situation as he used to be.

Ruslan's success was only possible thanks to the close cooperation of the UNDP project with national partners, such as the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, the Ministry of Education, youth organization named after Magtymguly, and numerous private companies, entrepreneurs and firms.