The initiative focused on training and supporting youth (ages 18 to 29) who resided in Mombasa County, Kenya, to access and secure virtual gig work opportunities. The training taught soft skills—what we called Essential Skills—as well as a specific technical skill: transcription. It informed learning about how to implement initiatives to prepare youth to earn consistent incomes from virtual gig work and successfully transition into sustained careers or entrepreneurship.
We define a Virtual Gig as a form of self-employment in which a client hires a temporary worker to deliver products or services primarily through online engagement. Virtual gigs can include:
• Microwork: Involves micro tasks that can be completed in seconds or minutes.
• Online freelancing: Involves larger projects that often require greater expertise.