The Ajira Digital, in collaboration with Siaya County Government, has started a mission of providing comprehensive online lessons for the youth. The latest initiative in this effort took place on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at the Nyasanda Resource Centre in Ugunja Sub-County. The initiative is a critical step focused to empower young persons with the up-to-date digital skills to thrive in the current technology-driven world.
The Ajira Digital Programme focuses on digital literacy equip youths with the knowledge and tools required to access and succeed in different online activities to address the perennial aspect of unemployment among the youthful generation. While presiding over the event, the Director Public Communication, Chrispine Omondi, urged the trainees to take the programme seriously and leverage on digital technology to become productive in the competitive world.
The primary goal of the Ajira Digital Programme is to bridge the digital literacy gap among youths across Siaya County. By offering these targeted online lessons, the program seeks to provide a pathway for young people to engage in online work opportunities. Ideally, it is a positive action initiative for addressing the problem of youth unemployment by guiding the young persons toward the enormous possibilities of the digital economy. The activity therefore focuses on aspiring to ensure young persons are provided with the tools to enable them secure jobs in the "global online job market" with an aim to enhance income earning among them.
Nicholas Ouma, a senior trainer in Siaya County, reported the success of the two-day pilot programme, which was attended by forty-six youths. Out of these participants, twenty successfully finished the course and moved into a mentorship programme. The mentorship stage is critical given that it offers continuous support and guidance, assisting the young individuals to effectively apply the skills they have learned. At present, ten of these youths have already started earning from online tasks, justifying the instant impact on their economic states as well as the viability of digital work as a source of income.
The County Government of Siaya is deeply committed to supporting and mobilizing youths to leverage these digital training sessions. Through the creation of awareness and participation of the Ajira Digital Programme, the County Government wants to ensure it nurtures wealth and the youth and create better future livelihood within the ever-changing digital economy. This commitment aligns with a desire to unlock the potential of skills in digital skills training as a tool for productive employment and sustainable development, especially among the youths so that they are well equipped to man the digital world that is unfolding before us.