Akim of Almaty Yerbolat Dossaev opened a new community center in the Auezov district. 102,000 young people aged 14 to 35 live here. 7.8% of whom are NEET youth. The community center will become a platform for them to promote creative initiatives and exchange ideas, uniting young people of interest, El.kz reports with reference to the press service of the akim of the city of Almaty.
The project for the development of community centers is the only one in Kazakhstan. The buildings for them were purchased and renovated by the Almaty akimat back in 2023. Another 7 centers will open next week. The total coverage of 8 community centers per year will be over 800 thousand young people. The schedule of the centers will be published in the second half of January.
Educational and cultural events will be held here free of charge, young people can apply for qualified psychological and legal assistance, employment, and receive advice on financial topics.
"Almaty is a city of youth. We have more than 680,000 young people aged 14 to 35. At the same time, there were practically no centers in the city where you could gather, share your thoughts, and provide help in difficult times. Now we are effectively solving this problem. By the end of the year, we will try to create the basic infrastructure," Yerbolat Dossaev said, talking to young people.
Akim of Almaty noted that it is important to control the process of employment of residents of community centers and further cooperation with employers.
"We need your feedback: we are ready to revise all educational and advanced training courses, youth programs if you consider it necessary to adapt them to modern realities. As the Head of State said in his interview, he pays special attention to young people. The future is yours, the next 2-3 decades will be in your hands," Yerbolat Dossaev said.
If today 1 community center has been opened in each district of Almaty, then within a year their number will be doubled. By 2025, there will be 16 such sites in the metropolis. Young people can learn new professions and necessary skills within walking distance from home - in the nearest community center.
The ability to attend classes based on where you live gives you a greater reach and increases engagement.
"The unemployed can get advice on government programs in community centers, as well as learn about employment and training. To do this, you need to register on the Jasalmaty.kz portal and create a resume on the JobFair365 employment platform. At the same time, without having the required skills for the desired vacancy, young people can undergo short-term training in relevant professions on the SkillBridge platform," said Kairzhan Mendigaliyev, Head of the Youth Policy Department of Almaty.
All services for residents of community centers are free of charge. In addition, there are comprehensive discount cards that provide benefits for transport, catering, the use of sports and cultural infrastructure, training and master classes.