The project aims to address the shortage of ICT professionals, skills gaps, and mismatches by promoting, developing, and piloting: • the recognition and packaging of the skills of female job seekers, • employer and recruitment expertise based on the skill needs of target companies, and • uncovering hidden job positions or tasks in the ICT sector. The ICT sector suffers from a shortage of skilled professionals and a lack of alignment. This challenge applies not only to ICT companies but also to businesses and organizations that are software-driven and have technology-focused tasks, albeit in different sectors. Job seekers find it difficult to identify potential employers in the field. Additionally, recruitment advertisements are demanding and opaque, participation in the recruitment process is challenging, and ultimately, recruitment processes are lengthy with a poor applicant experience. These factors significantly contribute to the sector's mismatch problem. In addition to employer skills, job seekers need assistance in recognizing and articulating their own skills, which is addressed in this project. The main target groups of the project are: • Women who are unemployed, at risk of unemployment, or students. The target group particularly aims to include women under 30 years old. Additionally, the target group includes career changers and employed women with skill gaps who benefit from continuous learning and articulating their skills. Participants from anywhere in Finland are welcome. • Companies in North Karelia or in other parts of Finland that operate in the ICT sector or significantly utilize ICT technology. The practical measures involve the management of these companies, mid-level supervisors/team leaders, and HR professionals. • Actors in the employment area of North Karelia and other employment areas, as well as development companies. Indirect target groups include: • ICT companies operating elsewhere in Finland, where individuals from target group may also find employment. • Other partners and projects, e.g., TIEKE. The main goal of the project is to improve the alignment between the ICT sector and other sectors significantly utilizing technology, bring hidden ICT job positions to light, find skilled professionals, and increase the technological expertise of job seekers and employers. This goal will be achieved by enhancing the skills of both job seekers and employers in recruitment, employer skills, job search, and articulating one's own skills. The implementation of the project is divided into 3 work packages, each with its activities and key objectives: WP1 Recognition and packaging of personal skills The aim of this work package is to develop a coaching program for women in the target group, focusing on showcasing individual skills and peer learning. The activities include piloting and developing coaching, tools, learning platforms, and methods tailored to the target group's needs based on feedback and results. The coaching program explores job seekers' challenges, coaches them to align their skills with employer needs, and helps them find potential employers more effectively. Objectives include: • Identifying, packaging, articulating, and improving women's skills in job search. • Helping women identify diverse employment opportunities in the technology field and increasing specific skills related to hidden job positions. • Creating a skills badge model to facilitate the demonstration of job seekers' skills. • Measuring changes in skill levels using digital pre- and post-surveys conducted during the project. • Engaging at least 150 women in the project. • Ensuring event satisfaction exceeds 70 %. • Continuous development throughout the project to meet participants' real needs. • Developing a guide. • Developing a skills badge during the project and awarding it to women who complete the program. Software Finland ry is responsible for the implementation of the work package. WP2 Future ICT employer This work package aims to develop a coaching program for target group companies, focusing on becoming future-oriented ICT employers. The program is based on peer group coaching. The activities include developing coaching, tools, and methods for the target group, testing their effectiveness in pilot groups, and refining them based on feedback and actual skill development. Evaluation methods will be created to measure skill development before and after coaching. In addition, the work package will create a Future ICT Employer skill badge and seek hidden job opportunities in the ICT companies or companies, that significantly utilize ICT technology. Objectives include: • Bringing hidden ICT job positions to light and finding suitable candidates (target: 40 positions). • Improving the employer skills of the target group companies so that they recognize their skill needs and articulate them clearly in job postings. This leads to finding long-term employees and improving employee engagement. • Creating a "Futu