Nigerian digital space has become more exciting with the introduction of an application (app) by two young Nigerians – Anderson Idoko and Anderson Emmanuel – which they said is a market place for job seekers and job hunters.
The app, known as YARD, is meant to bring together, and simplify job seeking and recruiting.
The Information Technology solution is built to connect employers with suitable job seekers. YARD can be accessed throughout the world and in different languages.
At the official unveiling of the platform on Friday in Abuja, Edward Mamara, consultant to firm, “enspire,” in his opening remarks, said the passion for interaction led the visioners to create the app which can be downloaded from Google play store.
Mamara said the challenge faced by both applicants and recruiters endeared the app to the creators.
Anderson Idoko in his explaining the reason behind the vision, said he conceived the idea to develop the platform having considered the huge challenge employers face in recruiting persons who match a particular position into office. He said the website provides various features that users can explore and expand their opportunities.
According to him, YARD is an improved version of other job seekers platforms, like LinkedIn, noting that YARD makes use of artificial intelligence to merge talents with job opportunities and organisations across the globe.
“Our discourse platform where people can interact, share contents such as pictures, videos and write up and also join based on communities of interest, will allow our users position for the level of opportunity they desire; build, learn and connect with other talents and industry mentors from across the globe,” he said.
“YARD has created an enabling environment where users can build, network, and grow along their professional journey to make them more productive and successful.
“Also inculcated is an e-learning platform, where talents can get professional certifications, career growth courses, and mentoring from professional instructors across the globe.”
He said unlike other platforms, YARD sends out curriculum vitae (CV) of job seekers who are on the platform to employers.
“Right now, job search is competitive. In this case, your profile serve as your CV. The second part is that it has a picture of you and a 30 secs video part of you talking about yourself. So it tells the employer if this person fits into what you are looking for,” he added.
The co-founder of YARD also stated that the platform provides a learning skill where individuals can pick up courses for free to develop themselves while waiting for their dream jobs.
He said “because the job market is a competitive one, while you are looking forward to it, it is important that you are adding value to yourself. So we have to inculcate a learning part of YARD where people will come on the platform and take courses that is professional certification, mentoring and live courses to add value to their career.
“By Oct this year, we hope to have above a million people active on that platform and in January 2023, we hope to be the largest interactive platform from Nigeria in the world.
“We are looking forward to become the largest data bank of CV in the world”.
Special guest of honor, the Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr Ezra Yakusak commended the founders of YARD for the digital innovation at providing solutions that are scalable, proven, secure, and easy to use to support business growth.
NEPC Executive Director who was represented by Deputy Director, National Export Office, Andy Ambikputen assured that the council is committed to partnering with YARD to ensure that the project is a success.
He said NEPC will continue to collaborate with IT organisations to support the nation’s non-oil export drive.
Ezra Yakusak, executive director of NEPC, spoke on Friday at the unveiling of linkedyard.site, an online platform aimed at digitalising employment process, in Abuja.
He said that the NEPC now completes the registration process of exporters within 24 hours through digitisation.
“As the biggest economy in Africa with one of the largest populations of young people in the world, Nigeria is well-positioned to develop a strong economy which would have a transformational impact,” he said.
“The growth of digital innovation and entrepreneurship is essential for the creation of an ecosystem for innovation-driven enterprises and MSMEs.
“The council leveraging on this development has engaged the use of digitalisation in processing most of its activities with its customers.
“With the utilisation of the internet and the application of online-based digital technologies, NEPC has been able to complete the registration process for exporter certificates within twenty-four hours.
“In order to fast tract online marketing for the food sector and increase export capacity, the NEPC has trained a number of MSMEs to have their own digital identity by creating websites and having their e-mail addresses.
“The council in the last one year, under the export expansion facility programme (EEFP), provided grants for technology startups in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Authority (NITDA).
“Some of these technology companies were part of the Nigerian exhibitor at the 2021 Intra Africa Trade Fair (IATF 2021) in Durban, South Africa.
“Let me assure you that NEPC will continue to partner with any institution that is readily available to bring up innovation through IT and IT-enabled solutions in supporting the non-oil export drive of the country.”
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