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Nedbank DigiSkills platform launched in partnership with Microsoft SA and Afrika Tikkun

Earlier today Nedbank, Microsoft South Africa and Afrika Tikkun held a local media briefing to unveil a new online platform aimed at assisting local citizens called Nedbank Digiskills.

The initiative initially aims to upskill and create sustainable income opportunities for 1 000 South Africans by the end of 2021, with plans to grow this number to 5 000 in the longer term.

“The low bandwidth DigiSkills platform will offer five free online short courses and learning tracks covering today’s most in-demand digital skills to underserved populations and South Africans impacted by the economic crisis that COVID-19 triggered,” explains the trio in a press release sent to Hypertext.

As has been well documented this year, SA faces a significant unemployment problem, especially for those in younger age brackets. Added to this is the fact that many people graduating from tertiary institutions with qualifications still cannot find jobs, as well as the access to digital skills proving another costly hurdle.

The Nedbank Digiskills platform hopes to address these problems as best it can and potentially prove a model for others to adopt.

“Digital skills provide the tools needed to mitigate poverty, unemployment, and inequality by improving employability, enabling livelihood opportunities and unlocking opportunities to actively participate in the emerging and competitive digital economy,” adds Khensani Nobanda, Group executive for Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Nedbank Group.

In terms of the support and access to training being made available on the platform, the following has been outlined:

  • “Recruiting potential candidates over the age of 18 with a working grasp of English, who have been economically displaced, are underserved or unemployed.
  • Providing access to free digital skills learning tracks of their choice through a low bandwidth online learning platform utilising the Microsoft Community Training Platform. This also comes with optional subsidised industry-recognised Microsoft certifications and exam writing at Nedbank facilities in major cities across South Africa.
  • Equipping participants with a blended learning model facilitated through Afrika Tikkun with support mechanisms including peer groups, mentors and facilitators, shown to meaningfully increase the likelihood of participant success as well as secure higher engagement rates.
  • Enabling livelihood opportunities through career development intervention including career guidance, job readiness training and job placement support.”

Those interested in accessing the platform are asked to head to this url.

[Image – Photo by Surface on Unsplash]

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