Over 100 youths graduate from DigiTruck training in Bomet
Some of the 105 youths who graduated during a DigiTruck ICT training at Meswondo Primary School, Bomet County on September 19, 2020.
What you need to know:
- The year-long training dubbed DigiTruck Initiative seeks to create digital confidence among the youth.
Chief executive of NYC Roy Sasaka Telewa said the youth, being key drivers in the country’s development, they aim to train many of them to reduce unemployment and boost productivity.
As Kenya gears up for industrialisation, the government is gradually bolstering its training capacity through partnerships with technology companies. This has come at a time when digital skills have become an integral part of any economy seeking to survive in the post-Covid-19 period.
Recently, a partnership between Chinese technology firm Huawei, the Ministry of ICT and Youth Affairs saw 105 youths graduate in Bomet County in a nationwide programme aimed at intensifying the digital transformation process in the country.
The year-long training dubbed DigiTruck Initiative seeks to create digital confidence among the youth.
''Bomet County has the best youth empowerment centre nationally. Today's agenda is to raise awareness about the power of technology. I thank Huawei for the DigiTruck Initiative,” Principal Secretary for the State Department of Youth Affairs at the ICT Ministry Julius Korir said.
University students
Huawei, which has in the past trained local university students on applicable solutions using emerging technologies, runs the training through the Computer for Schools Kenya (CFSK) project which it funds in collaboration with the National Youth Council (NYC), Ajira Digital and Fursa Mashinani.
''As ardent users of digital platforms, technology will quickly open doors for our youth,'' Mr Joseph Oliech, Project Manager, Computer for Schools said at Meswondo Primary School.
Chief executive of NYC Roy Sasaka Telewa said the youth, being key drivers in the country’s development, they aim to train many of them to reduce unemployment and boost productivity.
“Where is the opportunity? Where is the value? It is in advancing your digital skills. The youth in Bomet County will be part of the next generation that is equipped with technology,” he said.
Tech Skills
He added that the country must approach tech skills with the understanding that business continuity operations depends on digital capabilities.
Mr Telewa said that the Mogogosiek Youth Empowerment Centre in Bomet County will ensure youths participate in capacity building and expansion of skills to make them result-oriented leaders.
Bomet County Chief ICT Officer Ben Mutai noted that the provision of digital skills training to rural communities in Kenya could play a key role in ensuring the youth acquire skills in technology.
“The support from national government, Bomet County and Huawei will help the youth grow in terms of ICT proficiency,” Mr Kipronoh Ronoh, director of programmes and standards at the ICT authority said.
Huawei’s efforts have seen 1,151 youths benefit from the programme, in Nandi, Machakos, Nyandarua and Kericho counties.
Through CFSK, graduates are given the opportunity to register their own ventures besides being connected to various networks to grow their businesses.
“They are connected with wholesale and retail partners, for example, our partner CFSK connects some of the students to Total who will provide them with the products to sell online,” a statement from Huawei reads.
DigiTruck, Huawei's pilot project, will also be rolled out in other countries.
