Many corporations are realizing the importance of investing in the youth. Initiatives are coming up with this huge demographic in mind. The other paradigm shift in the corporate circles involves cooperation.
200,000 youth and 50,000 entrepreneurs are set to be supported by AfricaWorking, a new initiative announced today by a group of companies, including Barclays Africa,Emerging World, FranklinCovey, Knod, Microsoft, Safal Group and Syngenta.
The new Association seeks to channel the collective power and voice of the private sector to make an impact on employability and entrepreneurship in Africa. Starting in Kenya and South Africa, AfricaWorking aims to work across the continent by 2020.
There is a huge gap between skilled talent and unemployed youth. As it is there are many well paying jobs that go unfilled due to lack of the right talent. At the same time, the youth form the largest number in terms of unemployment.
Lutz Ziob, Dean of the Microsoft 4Afrika Academy said at the launch, “Most large corporations are looking at youth skills development in one form or another, because it’s crucial to their business. “The idea behind AfricaWorking is to bring these corporations together, align our efforts, share our learnings and build human capital on a pan-Africa scale,” He added.
The initial platforms will leverage YouthWorks – a Microsoft entrepreneurship platform linking youth to career guidance, internships and entry-level job opportunities, and an employability platform powered by Knod.
Graham Doxey, CEO and Founder of Knod said that there is currently a significant mismatch between the skills youth have and the skills employers are looking for. “Our goal is to connect learners and employers in a unique 21st Century experience based learning model, which develops skilled youth and an energized workforce of competent employees,” he said.
AfricaWorking members will use this platform to create their talent pipeline and shape the skilled employees when and where they need them, through real world projects that form the basis of this innovative learning model.
Charles Reed, General Manager for Community Investment for Barclays Africa, added that by 2045, Africa’s labour market is projected to be the biggest in the world. “There is a great opportunity for us to engage the youth, help them develop relevant skills and find meaningful employment opportunities. Key to this is for us to collaborate and leverage technology where it makes sense to do so”, he said.
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