Cardiff-based CareerTech start-up iungo Solutions is taking its mission to better the employment prospects of young people internationally. iungo’s Co-Founder and CEO, Jessica Leigh Jones MBE, will serve as the Global Focal Point for Skilling Migrants for Employment at the United Nations Major Group for Children and Young People (UN MGCY). Jessica will be the first Welsh citizen under the age of 30 to receive this diplomatic honour.
Headquartered in New York, the UN MGCY is an “official, formal and self-organised mechanism” that helps connect young people with the UN system by encouraging meaningful participation. Functioning at a global, regional and national level, the UN MGCY works on a range of issues including youth engagement, knowledge and advocacy. The organisation operates within the UN framework for human rights, sustainable development and humanitarian action.
The position is for a one-year term and focuses on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth. iungo will consider the importance of entrepreneurship, and the influence of technology and remote flexible working, in shaping young migrants’ employment prospects.
Jessica Leigh Jones MBE said: “It is an honour to serve in this important role, particularly at a time where global uncertainties arising from Covid-19 and Brexit are influencing young people’s employment prospects and career ambitions. I look forward to working with UN MGCY to develop meaningful policy initiatives and platforms for young migrants to achieve their full potential, anywhere in the world.”
Tom de Vall, Executive Chair at iungo added: “As a company seeking to enhance social mobility globally, our values align with the UN SDGs and the work of this important organisation. We are excited to help drive forward an initiative that will benefit many young people across the world.”
Elana Wong, Global Focal Point for the Migration Working Group at UN MGCY said “We’re very happy to have Jessica join our Social and Economic Integration team as our new Skilling Migrants Focal Point, and excited for the wealth of knowledge and experience she brings to the coordination team.”
iungo Solutions has been named one of Wales’ top five high growth startups by Tech Nation, and recently graduated from Welsh Government’s inaugural high-growth Excelerator Programme for underrepresented founders. iungo’s vision is to “create an international brand for apprenticeships, underpinned by a connected infrastructure of education and employment opportunity”. The company’s commitment to social mobility has also been recognised with a Leading the Way for Diversity and Inclusion Award. iungo is currently designing an Information, Advice, and Guidance (IAG) platform to help 14 – 18 year olds to plan their careers.
Jessica is a Visiting Professor and Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Wales Trinity St David where she delivers a flagship employability programme for engineering undergraduates, Enterprising Engineers. She received an MBE for services to women in engineering in Wales in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours.