Zetech University is set to partner with the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy to train and equip youth in Kiambu with technological skills to facilitate employment and job creation through their digital ICT hubs.
“We seek to complement the government’s program which is part of the digital transformation agenda that aims at providing digital skills, e-services, and online opportunities to young people across the country,” Vice Chancellor Professor Njenga Munene said.
Prof. Munene noted that the initiative would take place at their state-of-the-art technological labs to support the government’s rollout of Jitume Hubs.
He noted that some of the training the youth will receive include; Transcription, Digital Marketing, Virtual Assistance, Data entry and management and Online Writing among others.
The VC also revealed that the University had invested heavily in Information and Technology programmes to supplement and fix the skill-gaps in the job market.
“Shortage of critical tech skills in the region is constraining local businesses and slowing economic growth. Individuals and companies must keep up with the technological disruptions, trends, problems, and opportunities to make better and sustainable career, commercial, and institutional decisions,” he said.
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He noted that the digital era continues to rapidly evolve; citing the emergence of Digital Governments, Digital Economies, Digital Currencies and Digital Societies.
“All these must leverage technology to effect transformation and impact health, transport, urban living, government services, climate change, environmental conservation, access to education and economic opportunities, among other societal needs,” he said.
Kiambu Deputy governor Rosemary Kirika who spoke at the institution challenged the university to also digitally empower businesspersons to upscale their operations.
Construction of hubs is included in Kenya’s Digital Masterplan 2022-2032, which governs the systematic delivery of ICT infrastructure, services, and skill development.
It also provides the country with a 10-year strategy for ICT projects to help investors determine their priorities.
It lists 19 key initiatives on which the government will focus in order to advance the country’s digital transformation
So far, tens of Jitume Hubs have been opened, an initiative that Members of Parliament continue to fast-track and enhance digital literacy among the youth.
The government seeks to have ICT hubs in all the 1,450 wards in the country with Digital Superhighway being one of the key pillars of the government’s development plan as championed in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The government seeks to scale up its investments in the relevant infrastructure, including the national broadband and digital hubs, to create jobs for at least one million digital workers in the next five years.
By Kamau Njoroge
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