Technology for Social Change and Development Initiative (Tech4Dev) has agreed with Microsoft and the Delta state government to train 5000 Youths and Civil servants in the state, in intermediate technology proficiency under the Emerging Markets Model Initiative (EMMI).
From June to September 2022, there will be a three-month intense intermediate training program in cyber security, software development, and product creation.
The EMMI is a multi-year, multi-stakeholder private-public-non-profit partnership that was created by Microsoft with the aim of strengthening the capacity of important government ministries, departments, and agencies to provide long-term, scalable reskilling and employment services that are in line with regional labor markets.
The beneficiaries will receive laptops from the Delta state government as part of the programme as strategic partners with Tech4Dev and Microsoft.
The first batch of the upskilling program, which will see them become master trainers responsible for redelivering the project across the state, consists of 66 adolescents and 34 civil workers who easily passed the challenging test process.
The program’s goal is to give young people a chance to advance their careers, increase their employability, and launch sustainable businesses within the state. At the same time, it will help civil servants increase their productivity and support the government’s technology drive.
Joel Ogunsola, the founder and director of Tech4Dev, said he expects the training’s participants to do better and apply what they have learned to make significant contributions to the digital ecosystem in the state, the nation, and the entire world.
“This is a programme that has been in the pipeline for a while and I want to thank Microsoft and the Delta state government for making this possible. I believe this project will help position the beneficiaries for the future of work and they will greatly impact their environment.
“We hope that in the next 12 months, we will be able to churn out not just tech prospects but masters in the learning tracks we’re offering.”
Dr. Kingsley Emu, the program coordinator for Delta state, expresses his hope that the recipients will use the chance for upskilling they have been given to improve the state and the nation in the future.
“This is an amazing opportunity for every participant to get the needed career upskilling which will help them be better in their chosen profession. I am happy the youths are also benefiting from this project as it will greatly impact the state moving forward.
“Delta state is keenly focused on continuing to increase investment in the digital economy and human capital development.”
The Emerging Market model by Tech4Dev is designed train the youths across the country over a 1-year period in through a blended learning approach: online and physical through skill training and youth centres across Nigeria.
