From 25 to 27 February 2026, ESSCA hosted the second Urban Innovation Challenge Hackathon on its Lyon campus, as part of the European EUonAir alliance.
Guided by Alexandre NICOLET and Yann TRUONG, and assessed by a panel of experts, ESSCA students spent three days designing concrete, high‑impact solutions exploring how AI can enable professional training and upskilling for vulnerable communities, helping them access employment opportunities more fairly.
Awarded Solutions
- An algorithm that lets candidates with skills close to job requirements apply even if they do not meet every criterion. It identifies missing competencies and recommends tailored training, helping to bridge the gap between jobseekers and the labour market.
- A solution combining a talent re‑discovery engine with a “FairMatch” layer connected to an ATS (Applicant Tracking System). Instead of binary CV screening, it relies on an explainable scoring model and proposes personalised upskilling plans to support fairer hiring practices.
- A tool powered by NLP, clustering and predictive modelling, capable of analysing CVs, extracting skills, recommending suitable jobs and training, and anticipating labour market shifts to better support candidates and recruiters in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Special mention: an empathetic AI assistant designed for young jobseekers, helping them overcome psychological barriers, regain confidence, and navigate their path towards training and employment more effectively.
Urban Innovation Challenge Hackathon
Event organised as part of the EUonAir alliance.
This event was made possible thanks to the support of the Auvergne–Rhône–Alpes Region and the Lyon Metropolitan.
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