GetBundi Education Technology has onboarded the TechSis 2024 cohort, with the former Vice President of Liberia, Senator Jewel Howard-Taylor, urging the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunities provided by the programme.
Emphasising why they must take the digital skills training seriously, Howard-Taylor told the 1,000 women beneficiaries that for as many of them that had the privilege to be on the training, there were many more women who missed out.
TechSis is an initiative of GetBundi Education Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of GetBundi Education Technology, to support women education in tech for free. Now in its second year, TechSis seeks to bridge the digital gender divide in Africa by upskilling many African women with various digital skill sets to fuel inclusivity, innovation, and prosperity for the continent. TechSis 2023 focused on Coding, while TechSis 2024, which will run online for a period of six months from July 2024 to December 2024, focuses on Web Development and Data Analytics.
Highlighting the importance of digital literacy, especially for Africa, Howard-Taylor, who chaired the onboarding ceremony, said it will help the continent to overcome the gender disparities, increase economic opportunities, and enhance employment opportunities.
“It gives you wider access to job opportunities and it helps us compete more effectively in the labour market. The digital space and the technology you will be learning fosters the process of continuous learning by gaining new insights. So the skills you will be learning today will help you gain new insights, help women learn new skills, help them fight social discrimination, and help us close the gender gap,” she said.
The former Liberian Vice President said technology enables females especially to acquire practical skills that go beyond the traditional academic subjects.
“From access to education and healthcare to opportunities in business and science, to pursue economic independence, financial and technological advances – all of these things you will be learning over the next period will help us break down the barrier that keep women out of these sectors,” she said.
Speaking on balancing career and family, she said digitalization has made things easier for women as they can now choose professional careers and still have time for their families.
“So, I am happy today that any woman who will take advantage of this opportunity doesn’t have to choose between being a wife or a mother and working because everything is now on the digital space and can be done remotely,” she said.
“I want to ask each of you who are part of this training to take away the fear of the unknown. Sometimes women are afraid of technology but once we learn it, it becomes a serious tool for everything that we do. Take away the fear, jump into this course, study it, be the best that you can be for you will realize that once you get a hold of the tools that you will be taught, it’s like magic. Once you touch a button, unlimited possibilities are open to you,” Senator Howard-Taylor said.
“I am hoping that as GetBundi gets stronger on the Nigerian scene, you will consider coming to other countries that are just beginning to utilize their digital space since they will already be ahead to help other countries like Sierra Leone or Liberia or other countries that are still a little bit behind to use the platform that are available now for female empowerment at all levels,” she said.
Addressing the beneficiaries earlier, the Founder and CEO of GetBundi Education Technology, Barr. Osita Oparaugo, urged them to put in their best as they embark on “this transformative learning path”.
“Out of 10,000 applications, you have been selected for the prestigious TechSis 2024 cohort. Remember, while the program is free, it is not without value. Someone has invested in you to acquire essential digital skills that will shape your future,” Oparaugo said.
“The job market is evolving, prioritizing skills over traditional degrees. This change emphasizes adaptability, technical proficiency, and practical experience. Upon completing these courses, you will possess the skill sets needed to excel in the workforce.
“Today, 1,000 individuals are starting this journey. While not all will finish, I urge you not to be among those who drop out. The road ahead won’t be easy, but many have succeeded before you, and you can too. Wishing you all the best on this transformative learning path,” he said.
He thanked Senator Howard-Taylor for finding time to speak to the TechSis 2024 beneficiaries, and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for sponsoring 300 women from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to the program.
The onboarding ceremony, which took place virtually, was co-chaired by the first female sports and political journalist in Uganda and presidential advisor, Mrs Victoria Nalongo Namusisi, while the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Nigeria, Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, was the Special Guest of Honour.