tr3ent/proofmark-prototype

AI-assisted practical skills assessment prototype for Africa's informal workforce. # Proofmark **AI-assisted practical skills assessment for Africa's informal workforce.** Proofmark is an application-stage prototype that demonstrates how informally trained artisans could submit video evidence of their work, have that evidence mapped to a recognised competency standard, and receive a human-reviewed assessment report. The platform is designed to support Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). It does **not** replace qualified assessors or issue certificates independently. ## The problem Across Africa, many welders, mechanics, tailors, carpenters and other artisans learn through informal apprenticeships and years of practical work. They may be highly capable but lack recognised credentials proving what they can do. Without recognised proof of competence, an artisan can struggle to access: - Formal employment and larger contracts - Government procurement opportunities - Reliable skills verification for employers - Certain financing and business-growth opportunities - Portable recognition of skills across regions Recognition of Prior Learning already provides a route for assessing skills gained outside formal education. However, practical assessment commonly requires a qualified assessor to observe candidates individually. Travel, limited assessor capacity and administrative work make this difficult to scale. Proofmark explores whether AI can reduce the evidence-review burden while leaving the final decision with the authorised human assessor. ## Who benefits ### Informally trained artisans They gain a clearer pathway for demonstrating practical competence and pursuing recognised certification through the appropriate authority. ### National skills authorities and accredited assessors They gain structured, criterion-level evidence that can make assessment review more efficient without surrendering control of the final decision. ### Employers and procurement organisations They gain a more consistent way to verify practical trade skills after …