In 2019 Microsoft partnered with the African Development Bank to launch the Coding for Employment digital skills training platform.
The platform is an online tool aimed at offering digital skills to African youths. And of the more than 126,000 students who have completed the courses so far, 47% are women.
The Coding for Employment digital skills training platform aims to promote a continuous learning
culture among young people and build their capacity to shape the continent’s future.
Speaking about this online training, Oluwakemi Adeleke, a Lagos-based Coding for Employment graduate recalled her learning experience with the program.
Oluwakemi who is currently a product designer started her journey in February 2020 through
self-learning, until in September when a friend introduced her to the Coding for Employment program.
Upon hearing that the program comes at no cost, she registered for it with the hope of learning,
growing and connecting with more young designers in the industry.
“Before the Coding for Employment program, I would say I was an experienced beginner” Ms Adeleke recalls. “I understood basic design concepts, prototyping, design thinking and all. However, the program widened my knowledge and I gained a deeper understanding of how design works in real life and how I can actually design a usable product.”
She explained that her personal experience was a fulfilling one. “I’m happy I was part of the program because it helped me improve my skills and I gained more knowledge and met amazing young designers similar to myself,” she added.
Today, she works remotely as a product designer with a software development company in Austin,
Texas.
“It’s one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Being an extrovert and an outspoken person helped me to leverage a career platform – in my case LinkedIn – and use it to my advantage. I am an active LinkedIn user, and it was through the platform that I got my job.”
She further stated that being tutored by the best design mentor in the Coding for Employment program and working on projects on the course helped to boost her confidence and portfolio. According to her these two factors helped her in securing her current job.
“Also, working remotely with a diverse team filled with amazing and intelligent people has been a great experience and I’m enjoying every bit of it. I’m learning and I’m growing, and my team is filled with amazing techies,” Oluwakemi stressed.
As well, Oluwakemi is encouraging young designers who wish to start a career in tech to participate in the Coding for Employment program. “Trust me, you will enjoy it and you will get tutored by the best mentors and professionals in the industry,” she concluded.
About the program
The Coding for Employment Program is part of the African Development Bank’s Jobs for Youth in Africa Initiative, and is implemented in Nigeria by McAnderson Institute of Technology.
Coding for Employment prepares Africa’s youth for tomorrow’s jobs by training them in demand-driven information and communications technology (ICT) and matching graduates directly with ICT employers.
Coding for Employment aims to create over 9 million jobs and reach 32 million youth and women across Africa.
Featured Image: Oluwakemi Adeleke
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