The Kenyan ICT sector got a boost after 63 students graduated with specialized much needed ICT skills in a programme funded by multinational software company, SAP. The initiative is not only expected to improve the ICT skill pool, but also play the dual role of increasing employment opportunities for the youth.
The multinational company said the graduates will take up internship opportunities with SAP customers and partners who are some of Kenya’s leading companies. The graduation ceremony at Nairobi University was presided over by the Principal Secretary, Ministry of ICT Mr Joseph Tiampati, who urged like-minded partners to help the y-generation become more employable through specialised training.
“Kenya needs to develop the capability to train and test for specialised skills on a larger scale. We need partners from the academia and the private sector to commit not only to training students but by also increasing the number of Kenyan trainers of high-end skills in ICT,” he said. “SAP Skills for Africa programme is an excellent start. But I want to challenge the young people who are graduating today to also consider becoming trainers for future young graduates.”
The graduates underwent an intensive 8-week SAP module training by expert trainers held at Technobrain and according to SAP East Africa MD Andrew Waititu, the training is a stepping stone towards Kenya’s globalisation of labour by 2020. The technology company conducted a survey with Oxford Economics during the second quarter of 2014 on the current trends in the workforce.
The study, which involved 2,700 executives and employees in 27 countries revealed that globalisation of labour will take centre-stage by 2020. “Based on survey responses, we found that the key determiners of today’s workforce are that there will be a globalisation of labour supply with employees and employers looking beyond borders, and a shift from permanent and pensionable staff to consultants and emphasis on leadership which many feel is lacking in today’s workplace. SAP is taking the lead into these insights by offering much needed soft and technical skills,” said Mr. Waititu.
The Skills for Africa programme idea was conceived in Kenya by ICT Authority and SAP East Africa and was officially launched in September 2012. Bright students from disadvantage backgrounds and women are considered for the training.
