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MTN Uganda, by its company social duty arm, MTN Foundation, proudly unveils the second cohort of the MTN Ace Skilling Initiative, welcoming 154 fellows chosen from a pool of 789 candidates.
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These gifted people will endure coaching in International Computer Driving License (ICDL), enterprise expertise, and technical expertise, all designed to equip them with the instruments wanted to thrive within the fourth Industrial Revolution.
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Now in its second part since its launch in December 2022, the MTN ACE Program, with an funding of UGX 2.17 billion in a interval 2024 to 2025.
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Last 12 months, MTN Uganda accepted 100 fellows into this system, with 87 graduating beneath Ace Skilling.
MTN Uganda, by its company social duty arm, MTN Foundation, proudly broadcasts the launch of the second cohort of the MTN ACE Initiative, welcoming 154 fellows chosen from a pool of 789 candidates. These gifted people will endure coaching in International Computer Driving License (ICDL), enterprise expertise, and technical expertise, all designed to equip them with the instruments wanted to thrive within the fourth Industrial Revolution.
Now in its second part since its launch in December 2022, the MTN ACE Program, with an funding of UGX 2.17 billion, is aimed toward empowering younger college graduates, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and innovators by delivering sensible information, expertise, and experiences. The objective is to organize individuals to deal with their communities’ urgent challenges utilizing progressive ICT options.
Spanning 12 months and overlaying all the nation, this system is predicted to make a major influence by upskilling youth and fostering the creation of startups. The coaching is split into three key phases: the Ace Skilling Program, which gives foundational expertise in necessities of computing, technical, and mushy expertise; Ace Career, which supplies totally paid internships for 3 months; and Ace Enterprise, a enterprise incubation part designed to nurture startups that covers 6 months.
Participants will first full a three-month on-line coaching program beneath the Ace Skilling part, which focuses on important technical pc expertise and mushy expertise. Top-performing fellows will then advance to both the Ace Career or Ace Enterprise pathways, the place they are going to be evaluated for internship placements or enterprise incubation alternatives.
Stephen Mutana, the Chief Strategy and Stakeholder Officer at MTN MoMo expressed his enthusiasm for the brand new cohort, stating, “We are proud to welcome these gifted people to the MTN Ace Program. At MTN, we’re dedicated to empowering the subsequent era of entrepreneurs and innovators to create sustainable options for his or her communities. Through initiatives like this, we imagine we will drive significant change in Uganda’s economic system and encourage a future filled with prospects.”
Mutana additionally emphasised that the MTN Ace Program is intently aligned with the corporate’s Ambition 2025 Strategy, Uganda Digital Transformation Roadmap, Uganda’s National Development Plan III, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, significantly in selling inclusivity, variety, and fairness.
The MTN Ace Program continues to place itself as a vital device in addressing youth unemployment in Uganda. With greater than 75% of the nation’s inhabitants beneath the age of 30 and a youth unemployment charge of 13.3%, packages like MTN Ace are important in equipping younger individuals with the talents obligatory for job creation and innovation.
In collaboration with key companions, together with the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance, MUBS Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Incubation Centre, Centenary Technology Services, Engage Consult, the National ICT Innovation Hub, and MTN MoMo Uganda, MTN is dedicated to supporting youth-led startups, enhancing employability by digital expertise for digital jobs, and bridging gaps within the nation’s digital and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
The chosen fellows will start their coaching within the coming weeks, with all individuals receiving certificates upon efficiently finishing their packages. As a part of its long-term technique, MTN Foundation stays devoted to uplifting communities and empowering youth throughout Uganda by impactful initiatives just like the MTN Ace Program.
Steven Kirenga, the General Manager of Product & Business Development and Customer Experience at Centenary Technology Services, expressed enthusiasm about helping youth in buying technical expertise that may empower them to ascertain their very own companies. He emphasised that the MTN ACE program can be anchored within the Digital Transformation Roadmap, guiding individuals to focus their progressive concepts on nationwide precedence sectors reminiscent of industrial agriculture, oil and gasoline, tourism, well being, manufacturing, companies, and ICT
Dr. Diana Nandagire Ntamu, Director on the MUBs Entrepreneurship, innovation and incubation centre applauded MTN Uganda for this system in making ready the youths for the job market.
“Over time, now we have acknowledged that whereas universities supply a powerful theoretical basis, they usually fall quick in equipping college students with the sensible expertise wanted to thrive within the workforce,” She stated.
“That’s why we’re dedicated to offering our fellows with the important expertise that may empower them to reach their careers and we thank MTN Uganda for giving us this chance to empower our youth”
Steven Kirenga, GM of Product & Business Development and Customer Experience at Centenary Technology Services stated they’re excited with serving to the youths with technical expertise that may allow them create their very own enterprises.
Last 12 months, MTN Uganda accepted 280 fellows into this system, with 185 graduating throughout the three disciplines. Over the years, MTN has remained dedicated to empowering youth by providing numerous coaching alternatives by platforms such because the MTN Skills Academy, which helps younger individuals undertake digital expertise for digital jobs and understand their full potential whereas making constructive contributions to their communities and the nation.
