[kictanet] Training for BPO/ITes workforce ready for roll out at University of Nairobi

[Phyllis Nyambura]

Listers,

The below might be of interest to those in the BPO/ITes sector or those
wanting to build a career in the sector. Full information on:
http://www.ict.go.ke/index.php/hot-topic/524-coe-stakeholders-breakfast

*Training for BPO/ITes workforce ready for roll out at University of Nairobi
*

*Certificate courses to be offered by end of year to self-sponsored students
*

*Nairobi, 2nd July, 2013:* The BPO/ITes industry is set to benefit from
high level skills as the government is now ready to offer training to
students at the Center of Excellence (CoE) set-up at the University of
Nairobi. The training is meant to bridge the skills gap prevalent in Kenya
outsourcing industry.

A breakfast meeting held on 28th June, led by the Kenya ICT Board, the
Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology implementing body,
appraised industry players on the progress thus far made and what is needed
to roll out to would be students.

“Research has revealed that there is a mismatch between what is offered at
the universities and what the industry requires. The course is supposed to
sharpen the skills level of our students to increase their employability,”
says Andrew Lewela, Project Manager, BPO/ITes Kenya ICT Board.

The CoE has been developing a curriculum and assessment tool using global
standards that is supposed to impart skills for graduates in the BPO/ITes
industry. Already 20 trainers of the curriculum have been prepared to teach
the courses and 40 students are undergoing training on the pilot phase.
 The self-sponsored training is expected to be industry driven come the end
of the year with 5,000 students expected to benefit each year.

The meeting attended by government, academia and private sector players,
enlisted stakeholders support to offer internships and employment to the
CoE graduates once they complete training.  It will also focus on reviewing
and recommending a CoE management structure that incorporates all the
relevant stakeholders including academia, industry and government.

“There is need to create employment for the youth by extending ICT
knowledge to the region,” Prof Elijah Omwenga, the CoE Project Leader and
lecturer at the University of Nairobi. He also indicated the need for a
body which will offer certification to those undertaking training like
KASNEB or KNEC.

Students of the 3-month certificate course are expected to get essentials
skills in critical thinking, communication and technology. They will also
be equipped with personality skills such as agility, adaptability and
attitude.  To qualify for the course, students require a minimum of a form
four level certificate. Expectations are that the course will in future be
offered as a bachelor’s certificate.

The project is led by Kenya ICT Board in partnership with BPO/ITes
companies and the academic community.

 The chair, Kenya Information Technology and Outsourcing society, Tejpal
Bedi said: “We will drive KITOs members to offer employment to all the
trainees in the pilot program.  We will also consider sponsoring students
for the CoE program in future.”

Being a key pillar and driver of social and economic development in the
Kenya Vision 2030 CoE seeks to create employment for youth in Kenya. The
Government of Kenya has been keen to take up a focused BPO/ITes skills
development initiative in close collaboration with the industry. The vision
for the Center is that it eventually offer diploma and bachelor
certificated and become a regional training hub for the BPO/ITes industry
catering to training needs in the region. It will also be rolled out to
other Kenya and East African training centres.

ENDS




Phyllis Nyambura
Communication Writer
Kenya ICT Board

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P.O. Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
t: + 254-020-2211960/62 | m: + 254 (0) 789396433 | e: pnyambura at ict.go.ke

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