Detailed Plan
The current verification of a candidate's work experience and job-related documents such as qualifications makes use of third-party services which can be a costly and time-consuming process in addition to raising significant risk around the storage of candidate data. In addition, job-related documentation fraud is on the rise and full trust cannot be placed on what is written and submitted in a traditional employee resume.
The main aim of this project is to leverage an existing decentralized platform where end-users can generate, issue, receive, securely store, and verify the authenticity of work-related documents (i.e., Degrees, certifications etc.) and work experience as Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) on the Cardano blockchain. End-users will be able to interact with this platform through the use of a web interface and mobile application.
Cardano NFTs are public, immutable entries that record the exact date and time verification, and minting took place. Through the use of the Cardano blockchain, permanence and immutability are ensured.
The following details the advantages for each entity:
Individual users
- They can own their data and share it with whoever they desire.
- They stand out in the job market having verified and authenticated work experience and job-related documents.
Academic institutions
The goal of graduating from academic institutions for most students is to find employment. Each time an alumni student moves to a new employer, the academic institution will be contacted to verify the Individuals documentation. Academic institutions are therefore incentivised to generate NFT equivalent versions of degrees, diplomas, certifications etc. so that they do not have to do it continuously in the future.
Companies:
A reward incentive was developed in order to get companies to join the platform. This is discussed further in the white paper attached.
The expected timeline for this project will be 12 months to get a MVP operating. We believe our approach goes beyond the digital artwork and collectable hype that is currently attached to NFTs at the moment and presents a real-world use case where NFTs can improve current processes. The current resume is on its way out and NFTs present the perfect way to transition users into a digital world where their professional lives are fully verified and data secure.
Solution Approach
1. Goals and scope of solution
The main goal is to build a decentralized platform where end-users can generate, issue, receive, securely store, and verify the authenticity of work-related documents (i.e., Degrees, certifications etc.) and work experience as Non-fungible Tokens on the Cardano blockchain. Cardano NFTs are public, immutable entries that record the exact date and time verification, and minting took place. Through the use of the Cardano blockchain, permanence and immutability are ensured. End-users will be able to interact with this platform through the use of a web interface and mobile application.
The following functionality is currently in scope:
- Generation or "minting" of data as NFTs
- Issuing of NFT minting orders or requests
- Sending and receiving of NFTs
- Integration of external digital wallets (eg: Metamask) to store NFTs
Important: The goal would be to work with 1 University/College and 1 Company to rollout the project for all of the students and employees respectively. Once this has been achieved, further rollout will occur with a associated marketing campaign. Our team already have these organizations in mind and are approachable to work with.
- Cardano blockchain and NFT design ensures immutability.
The following functionality is not currently in scope and will be implemented at a further stage:
- Ability to display NFTs aesthetically using web or app-based platform
- Development of a recruitment portal where jobs can be advertised by recruiters and applied for by individual users
2. Technical approach
Academic institutions and companies can use the platform to either:
- Mint and Issue verifiable NFT-based job-related documents or work experience, or
- Digitally sign and approve requests sent by individual users
Individual users can use the platform to:
- Build and share (via various communication channels) their digital NFT-based resume
- Send requests to academic institutions attended and/or past employers to have their NFTs validated
- Receive NFT-based job-related documents or work experience from academic institutions and/or past employers
A core web application will be used for generating, issuing, and verifying the authenticity of an individual user's work experience or job-related documents. The following details the workflow for each entity on the platform.
A. Individual users:
1. Users will sign up to the platform
2. Users will perform KYC functions in order to validate their identity. This entails proof of ID and Address checks in addition to biometric face verification. This functionality will be outsourced for cost optimization.
3. Users will connect their external digital wallets to their accounts
4. Users will create their resume as multiple pre-NFTs (not yet minted), each representing a specific qualification, certification, or period of past work experience. Each pre-NFT will contain mandatory fields that need to be filled out such as the type of qualification obtained (MSc, Bcom, etc.).
5. Users will lodge a request via the platform to have each of their resume pre-NFTs verified by the applicable third-party (University, Company, etc.). They will pre-authorise the minting of this NFT on the basis that successful approval by the third-party takes place. The user will need to have a minimum amount of tokens in their digital wallet to cover the transaction fee should the pre-NFT data be verified.
6. (see third parties' section below) A third-party will receive the request and review the data contained in the pre-NFT. If they decide to approve the verification of the pre-NFT, the NFT will be minted at the users cost and placed in their digital wallet to be viewed on the platform. If the third-party decides not to approve the verification of the pre-NFT, it will be returned (with optional notes) to the user and their minting fee returned. The user can make the necessary changes and request verification once again.
7. A user will have the ability to share the NFTs and pre-NFTs they want with prospective employers and recruiters through multiple communication means (eg: email). A recruiter will be able to view a landing page aesthetically showing off the users NFT resume and which of the users NFTs have been verified and which have not.
B. Companies and/or academic institutions:
1. Users can recommend a third-party be contacted and loaded onto the system. Third parties can also voluntarily sign up to the platform.
2. A third-party will sign up to the platform and create their business account.
3. Once signed up, users will be able to select the specific academic institution or company from a drop-down menu and request verification of their specific pre-NFTs.
4. A third-party will only have to mint one NFT representing their "approval signature". This "stamp of approval" NFT will be linked/embedded to the users NFT once minted upon verification.
3. Transaction costs
A flat fee will be charged in addition to the token transaction fees for minting NFTs. Users will be charged the normal blockchain network fee for sending NFTs.
4. User network growth
In order to ensure the growth of the platform, the following incentives will be implemented:
- Financial rewards for Individual users: Should a user help onboard a new company or academic institution, they will receive a permanent percentage for each NFT transaction the new company or academic institution mints/issues.
- Financial rewards for Companies and Academic Institutions: Each company and academic institution will receive a small percentage of the transaction cost for verifying documents (cash back). The intention with this is to motivate these entities to spread the word and use the platform.
5. Technology Stack
Deliverables: Build 1 Web Application and 1 Mobile Application in Android and iOS.
Frontend - HTML, CSS, jQuery, ReactJS/Angular
Backend - JAVA, Spring Boot, Spring Rest, Spring Security, Workflow/JMS
Database - MySQL, Reddis
Others - Cardano, Web3.js, IPFS
6. Budgets and Costs
1. Development (back-end software development and design) - $20.000
2. Referral system & KYC - $5.000
7. Detailed Technical Plan and Statement of Work
Tasks and subtasks
Month 1-3:
Task 1: Backend development
Team Members: Developers
Deliverables: Construct a development plan for the following:
- Web Interface - NFT work experience creation functionality
- Web Interface - NFT work experience verification functionality
- Web Interface - NFT job-related document creation functionality
- Web Interface - NFT job-related document verification functionality
- Mobile dApp - NFT work experience creation functionality
- Mobile dApp - NFT work experience verification functionality
- Mobile dApp - NFT job-related document creation functionality
- Mobile dApp - NFT job-related document verification functionality
Task 2: Signing up 1 University and 1 Company to rollout a BETA version with.
Team Members: Business Development
Deliverables: The following will be executed:
- Mock UX designs of application and functionality presented to company and academic institutions
- Willing participants onboarded to be used in testing of continuous developed functionalities.
Month 4-9:
Task 1: Web-based application development
Team Members: Developers
Deliverables: The following will be executed:
- Development of application capability for NFT work experience creation
- Development of application capability for NFT work experience verification
- Development of application capability for NFT job-related document creation
- Development of application capability for NFT job-related document verification
- Cardano blockchain integration
- Digital wallet and web-based extension integration
Task 2: Perform pre-launch testing by onboarding first University and Company
Team Members: Business development team
Important: Our aim will be to establish a BETA version of the platform with 1 onboarded University and 1 Company. Upon achievement of this, our aim will be to advance to building an Android an iOS mobile application in addition to a marketing campaign to onboarded more organizations. Finally, our Mainnet will be launched (within 3 to 6 months post our BETA rollout).
Overall project goals
1. Successful BETA launch
2. Successful implementation with an initial University and Company.
Team members:
Jagger Bellagarda - Business Development
Jagger Bellagarda is a master's student at the University of Pretoria focusing on the
convergence of Artificial Intelligence and Distributed Ledger Technology. He has
already been published in the cryptocurrency space with his academic paper titled
"The potential effect off-chain instant payments will have on cryptocurrency scalability
issues - The Lightning Network" being included at the International Conference on
Information Resources Management in Auckland, New Zealand in May 2019. When he
is not busy with his master's research, Jagger works as an IT Auditor. In his free time,
he enjoys producing music.
<https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagger-bellagarda-895b3189/>
Snehal Shah - Technical Architect
Snehal is a well-experienced Lead with a demonstrated history of leading and
delivering projects of enterprise-grade. He is a master of executing multiple
responsibilities at ease. Currently serving as a CEO of Techforce Infotech Pvt. Ltd as
well as architecting multiple finance-based projects. He is also designing solutions for
various blockchain-based enterprise systems for various clients that include Ethereum,
Solana, and others. Extensively worked on multiple domains like Finance, Publishing,
Medical, Insurance, and Legal along with proven experience in Agile project
management framework in his long last career of 20 years. During his journey, he has
also co-author books on Alfresco and also participated in reviews of Alfresco-based
books. With his exceptional skills of providing solutions and coordinating with the vast
team, Snehal is leading different projects with the zest and power.
<https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahsnehal83/>
Bhavin Shah - Project Leader (Certified Scrum Master)
Bhavin has 9+ Years of experience in Software Development and has domain
knowledge of design, development, maintenance, and product development. Bhavin
mainly focuses on Blockchain Development, NFT, provides Retail Banking Solutions (
Fin-Tech & Financial Services ) Shopping Carts and E-wallets Integrations. Bhavin is
always involved in a project where he can utilize his skills creatively that effectively
contributes to the growth of an organization and client's business directly. With the
experience and constantly upgraded knowledge about the industries, Bhavin manages
different projects, works with his team, and provides tactical solutions for all the new
opportunities.
Prashant Siddhpura - Mobile Expert
Prashant has 6+ Years of experience in Mobile development as an iOS, Android, and
React Native. Prashant has the skill set of mobile application design, development,
and maintenance. Prashant worked on multiple applications like Event, Medical, Lead
Generation, E-Commerce, Custom SDK-based applications, and Learning with
advanced UI/UX design patterns in modern technology. Prashant also shares his
expertise in gathering the project requirements and creating the project scope with the
minimum outcomes. He has always upgraded his knowledge in mobile development,
manages a team, manages different projects, and provides the solutions for all
enhancement.
<https://www.linkedin.com/in/prashant-siddhpura-289a0b82/>
Kartik Rajendran - Blockchain Developer
Kartik is a Java and a Blockchain Developer. With the deep knowledge of Ethereum,
Solana & Multichain, Kartik has worked on various projects and provided solutions for
Apexx, Aubit, and other different projects. Kartik shares the expertise in Private &
Public Blockchain, blockchain file system integration using IPFS, he has expertise in
development of DApps using Ethereum's / Solana's Web3.JS library and have
developed ERC20, ERC721, Vesting & Token Distributor In Batches smart contracts.
He has also created Private Blockchain with Multichain and related front-end apps.
With the sharp skills of Research and Development, Kartik utilizes his Tech knowledge
and comes up with strategic solutions for the new projects.
<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kartik-rajendran-7a007813a/>
Conclusion
This platform is a startup which, using the Cardano blockchain, will enable the permanent, immutable, and secure storage of verified and authentic work experience and job-related documents.
Verification of authenticity will be affordable, simple, and fast and will protect all entities from forgeries and manipulations. We fully believe this platform will harness the power of blockchain technology and non-fungible tokens to help reduce the rapid rise of document fraud and allow for more trust and transparency in the recruitment process.
**Please refer to the white paper attached for more information.