Microsoft set to train 4,200 youth in computer science

Microsoft will train 4,200 youth from Kenya in computer science with the aim of reducing the digital skills gap and cultivating an entrepreneurial culture among the youth.

Kenya is among 55 countries across the global that will benefit from the programme -I Choose Life Africa (ICL) - that aims to increase access to computer science education around the world through Microsoft YouthSpark.

In Kenya, Microsoft has partnered with non-profit organisation, The African Centre for Women, Information & Communications Technology (ACWICT) to rollout the programme.

Underserved youth will be introduced to computer science through in-person trainings on introduction to computer systems, hardware and software components, computer applications, programming and coding.

Increasing employment

Following the training, the participants will be connected to internships and continued learning opportunities to advance their technical knowledge and skills.

“Computational thinking and problem-solving skills will be relevant to every job in the future,” said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft said in a statement.

“Through our partnerships with non-profit organisations around the world, we aim to empower all youth to prepare for this future with the foundational knowledge of computer science to dream and create the innovations of tomorrow.”

I Choose Life – Africa is focused on increasing employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for youth with a special focus on providing digital, technology and computer science skills.

To address the skills shortage within the vocational sector and provide youth with the skills they need to succeed, this programme will provide youth with on-the-job training combined with digital literacy and computer science skills, including app development, coding workshops, and web design said Microsoft.

“The goal of computer science education is not necessarily for everyone to become a computer scientist or a software engineer. Regardless of the career they pursue, young people will benefit from understanding how technology works as well as how to create, apply and use it,” Kunle Awosika Microsoft Kenya Country Manager said in a press statement.

According to data from Bellwether research only 19 per cent of Kenyan students between 15 and 16 years old report doing computer programming in or out of school and only four per cent of university students graduate with degrees in computer science.