NANDI COUNTY – In a significant move to connect local youth with digital employment, 1,378 individuals in Nandi County have successfully completed a cloud computing skills program.

According to Kenya News Agency, the 12-week online training course was part of the Ajira Digital initiative, started in 2018 to empower young Kenyans with tech skills necessary for tapping into the digital job market. Participants were trained in an array of technology domains, including Linux, Python, networking, coding, security, and relational databases.

During the graduation event at the Kapsabet showground, Nandi Governor Stephen Sang emphasized that the program’s goal was to prepare youths for entry-level positions in cloud computing and to guide them in harnessing social media for entrepreneurship and content creation for income generation. He highlighted that digital literacy is pivotal in improving literacy levels, monetizing social media skills, enhancing living standards, and fostering employment within the nation.

Sang further motivated the graduates to apply the skills they acquired to produce content and utilize digital platforms for economic empowerment rather than just for entertainment. He revealed that his administration, in cooperation with the National Government, is committed to setting up ICT hubs across all wards in the county. These hubs are expected to provide young people with crucial tech skills, allowing them to access the digital job market.

Sharing his experience, graduate Peter Korir expressed that the Ajira Digital training has equipped him with the expertise to effectively use social media for financial gain and opened avenues for marketing content online.

The Nandi County initiative is a step towards addressing the employment gap through digital literacy, with a focus on empowering the youth to exploit the expanding digital landscape for economic opportunities.