Unitar digital skills programme open to Seychellois women and youths |19 August 2023
Seychellois women and youths are being urged to register for the Unitar programme (Photo: Contributed)
As digital skills become increasingly important both in the workplace and in daily life, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research is offering women and youths from the African continent an opportunity to jump onboard a free six-month programme, aimed at building high-demand digital skills.
The programme titled ‘Developing Essential Digital Skills for Women and Youth in Africa: Enhancing Employment Opportunities and Livelihood Development in the Digital Economy’, is accessible to women and youths from Seychelles, and some 23 other countries.
Launched on August 3, the programme is being financed by the government of Japan, and is set to commence as from September 2023 up until February 2024.
The training will serve to equip delegates with highly-sought after skills to increase employment and income-generating potential, to develop socially responsible digital start-ups, while also improving leadership skills to drive change and innovation within their respective communities.
Women and youths who are keen to learn, who have a passion for development, in addition to being interested in leveraging the opportunities presented by digital technologies are encouraged to apply, before the September 4 deadline.
The course consists of a number of modules, namely digital infrastructure and connectivity, digital innovation and transformation, frontier technologies including Artificial Intelligence, big data, robotics, blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and Virtual Reality (VR), among others. In line with its vision to form future leaders who are capable of driving change, modules such as project management, digital inclusion and the digital gender divide and digital entrepreneurship are also included.
The modules will be covered in three phases, the first of which will be self-paced, whereby delegates will complete e-modules on a digital leaning platform. They will also be able to access webinars, and will receive online coaching and mentoring support. This phase will commence in September and end in December.
As for the second phase, it consists of self-led projects and a virtual bootcamp, whereby delegates who are selected based on their performance in the first phase will be tested, in applying their newly-acquired skills and knowledge to address a development challenge. The second phase is scheduled for December 2023, up until January 2024.
Delegates who reach the third and final phase scheduled for February 2024 will receive additional training on community-building and leadership skills, aimed at creating a strong network of trainers for future cohorts.
Although targeted at 18 to 35-year-olds, women of all ages are encouraged to apply, provided they have good oral and written English communication skills, are computer literate, and have access to a laptop and internet.
Upon completing the programme, those taking part will be presented with a certificate of completion.
The African continent is home to some of the fastest-growing economies in the world. In recent years, there has been an unprecedented wave of innovation and technological disruption that is transforming the African society. However, the continent still faces serious challenges including lack of quality infrastructure, institutional failures that hinder the promotion of trade and investment, and socioeconomic inequality.
As women and youth from the continent remain underrepresented, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (Unitar) programme was designed to enhance their employability and competitiveness in the global workforce, readying them with digital skills in a digital-driven world.
Interested persons may apply on the Unitar website, at www.unitar.org
Laura Pillay