The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology has launched the Ajira Digital Program at the University of Nairobi. The program targets at training 1,000 students and equip them with the necessary technical skills to enable them to tap into the huge potential of online jobs.
Speaking during the event, Jerome Ochieng, the Principal Secretary for ICT and Innovation observed that program will go a long way in addressing the unemployment challenges the country is facing as the youth will be able to access millions of online jobs. The program aims at training one million young people across the country. “You are being provided with practical solutions to the challenges our country faces. You are being prepared for the job market upon graduation. The program involves collaboration with Ministry of ICT, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Education and the private sector” he said.
The emergence of the Internet has created an opportunity for multinationals to source for human resource from across the globe. The online marketplace is estimated to be $4.6 billion. Some of the success stories from the Ajira Digital training program are the young people earning close to 40,000 shillings every week. “People earn close to $400 weekly. The government will engage the private sector to give the young people an opportunity to work on online jobs, even government jobs will be online,” said the Permanent Secretary.
Members of Parliament have been roped into the digital program too. They are expected to lead the campaign by not only engaging the youth in their constituencies to participate in Constituency Innovation Hubs that will be established across the country but also in constructing the hubs. The PS called on students to be at the forefront in supporting the governments ‘Big Four’ agenda of affordable housing, manufacturing, universal health care and food security.
Ajira Digital program will be training the first cohort of 120 students for a period of five days. The program attracted over 1,000 students who will be trained in phases.
This article was first published on the University of Nairobi website.
