Two years after the launch, Microsoft seems to have the momentum to achieve its target. This new detail from the country manager suggests the ADC has recorded more than a 110% increase in new hires.
Here is what Kendi said speaking about the ADC Kenya site at the launch of the global skills initiative in Kenya.
For those of us in tech, we like to say, if there’s one thing that is an equalizer it really is the world of technology. When you have the right digital skills it doesn’t matter where you are from in the world, it means you can play.
We have seen that possible because even as Microsoft here in Kenya we have about 200 [software] engineers. That sit to develop Microsoft programs that are used around the world.
Which tells you we have people of our land who develop globally used programs. We can bring that onboard to the country and region to impact and make a difference for Kenyans.
Kendi Ntwiga-Nderitu
Senior Software engineer hiccup
The quality of software engineers across the continent has been a recurring conversation across many Africa tech communities. With the issue of a lack of senior software engineers being a major one.
Microsoft mentioned rolling out various skills initiatives to get the kind of software engineers it needs to staff its ADC. Recently the company announced a LEAP apprenticeship program with a focus on senior software engineers. Could Microsoft also be facing this dilemma?
[jetpack_subscription_form show_subscribers_total=”false” button_on_newline=”false” submit_button_text=”Hi, sign up so you can get the latest in breaking news, reviews, opinions, events, opportunities and community updates right in your inbox.” custom_font_size=”16″ custom_border_radius=”0″ custom_border_weight=”1″ custom_padding=”15″ custom_spacing=”10″ submit_button_classes=”” email_field_classes=”” show_only_email_and_button=”true”]
Microsoft officially launches its Global Skills Initiative program in Kenya today. The announcement comes as the company unveils a private sector partnership agreement with Stanbic Kenya and the Kenya Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development.
The partnership aims to enhance the employability of Kenyan citizens through digital upskilling to address the skills gap within the market.
The program will be rolled out in two parts, the Global Skills Initiative (GSI) and the Emerging Markets Initiative (EMI). The GSI is what is being rolled out globally using Linkedin’s learning platform. The EMI is more about digital literacy for underserved communities. Part of the company’s coding4employment partnership with the AfDB. Both contents will be localized, customized and deployed by local implementing partners.
54 thousand Kenyan youth have engaged with the GSI since it launched in June says Kendi Ntwiga-Nderitu, Microsoft Kenya Country Manager. She also noted that Microsoft wants to help people differentiate themselves to be relevant for today and tomorrow with digitizations.
Kendi shares that some of the popular learning paths amongst Kenyan learners are skills that can be offered to the world from Kenya. These include; software development, customer service specialist, data analysts, digital marketing and project management. They make one relevant not just for Kenya, which increases the output of our youth, she adds.
At Microsoft, equipping citizens with adequate resources and technology so that they are able to upskill and reskill has always been at the centre of our work. Securing partnerships with like-minded organizations such as Stanbic Bank Foundation and the Ministry makes complete sense if we are to reach and scale for maximum impact and successfully curb the impact of the pandemic.
Kendi Ntwiga-Nderitu, Microsoft Kenya Country Manager
The Global Skills Initiative in Kenya through the partnership will see about 50 thousand people skilled by end of the year. With plans to reach 500 thousand in the next three years.
Microsoft announced the skills program in June last year after the global economic crisis due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The program seeks to help 25 million people worldwide hit by job losses acquire digital skills to fill new ones.
Global Skills Initiative in Africa
When Microsoft launched its Global Skills Initiative it didn’t see a lot of adoption in Africa due to several challenges. Microsoft shared in January that 900 thousand people across the Middle East and Africa have participated in the program. Noting the popular learning paths are software developer, customer service specialist and data analyst.
This number shows a lesser fraction of the 10 million learners around the globe and what has been achieved in other regions.
The company mentioned partnering with other organizations and governments as one of the many ways to change this. Including offering additional funding and services where needed.
Watch the Microsoft Kenya country manager make the announcement.
https://youtu.be/YmrqaxPVics?t=3375
[jetpack_subscription_form subscribe_placeholder=”Enter your email address” show_subscribers_total=”false” button_on_newline=”false” submit_button_text=”Hi, sign up so you can get the latest in breaking news, reviews, opinions, events, opportunities and community updates right in your inbox.” custom_font_size=”16px” custom_border_radius=”0″ custom_border_weight=”1″ custom_padding=”15″ custom_spacing=”10″ submit_button_classes=”” email_field_classes=”” show_only_email_and_button=”true”]
Two thousand unemployed youths in Kenya are set to gain employment after taking part in a digital skills initiative. Led by Stanbic Kenya, Microsoft Kenya and the Kenya Ministry of Trade, Industrialization and Enterprise Development.
The digital skills initiative seeks to upskill about 50,000 people affected by the covid-19 pandemic with digital skills this year. This number will increase in subsequent phases to reach half a million Kenyans across the country in the next three years.
Training for the initiative will take place at various government centres. Stanbic Kenya Foundation is donating 480 computers and laptops to the ministry to support the training. The program expects that at least two thousand participants will be placed in employment after their training.
As at August 2020, about one Million Kenyans have lost their jobs due to the pandemic according to Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina.
Watch the full partnership announcement by Microsoft Kenya, Stanbic Kenya and the Ministry of Trade, Industrialization and Enterprise Development below.
https://youtu.be/YmrqaxPVics?t=2231
[jetpack_subscription_form show_subscribers_total=”false” button_on_newline=”false” submit_button_text=”Hi, sign up so you can get the latest in breaking news, reviews, opinions, events, opportunities and community updates right in your inbox.” custom_font_size=”16″ custom_border_radius=”0″ custom_border_weight=”1″ custom_padding=”15″ custom_spacing=”10″ submit_button_classes=”” email_field_classes=”” show_only_email_and_button=”true”]
Azure, A-z-u-r-e, Az-ure, what is the pronunciation? People have pronounced this word in various forms and manners to my hearing, I included. But is there a right way to pronounce the name of Microsoft’s cloud computing platform?
We have heard Microsoft executives and employees pronounce this word during conferences and meetings and sometimes it varies as well depending on who and where. You’ll think that because this is a company product, the adoption of its name globally will be one and the same.
I remember at least two such meetings in Lagos and Nairobi where Azure was pronounced differently to what I knew and how I pronounced it. Technically I believe my way of pronunciation is right, just as they do lol. I also remember having arguments about what it should be with friends.
So is there a right way? I’m sorry to disappoint you yes there is. But according to Microsoft, it is exactly how you pronounce it. Phew! That’s a relief, right?
The Microsoft Azure team posted a video to mark 11 years of the service. It shows several people from across the globe pronouncing the name of the service differently. But some going with the way Microsoft executives such as Scott Guthrie and Satya Nadella pronounce it.
A Microsoft employee in the video says “The reason why we picked Azure is because then anyone can pronounce it anyway they want“.
However you say it, Microsoft Azure is proud to be your partner in the cloud. Celebrate 11 years of inventing with purpose and tell us how you say Azure. #HowISayAzurepic.twitter.com/VoVlBoSoYp
Azure is an English word that means “bright blue in color like a cloudless sky”. Symbolism to the adapted color and design of the Microsoft cloud service. Which seems to be all it adapted, not really taking the pronunciation of the original Azure word.
So feel free to pronounce it however you feel like or desire as you were never wrong in the first place. And don’t let anyone like me tell you you are doing so wrong, lol.
Registration for Microsoft Ignite 2021 is opened and it will be a free digital-only event. It will be in the form of a 48 hour long virtual event available across all the time zones. The event will start from 4 PM GMT, 7 PM EAT, 6 PM SAT, March 2nd to March 4th 2021.
The event will have both live segments such as the keynotes and Q&A as well as already recorded content sessions.
To enjoy a total conference experience Microsoft advises you register as most sessions will require you to sign in. Registration will give you the ability to schedule your viewing events or sessions. It is also required to access the full learning experience including session content, attendee networking, and participation in the Cloud Skills Challenge. Others include featured sessions, deep-dives, learning and the connection zone.
However, sessions covered on the hero video such as the keynotes will not require you to be registered.
Featured speakers for the event include Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO, Jared Spataro, CVP Microsoft 365, Mitra Azizirad, CVP, Microsoft AI and Innovation Marketing, Scott Hanselman, Partner Program Manager.
Microsoft is introducing a VR/AR experience at Ignite 2021. You can watch the keynote sessions using your mixed reality device. To do this, download AltspaceVR from the Windows Store, Steam Library, and Oculus Stores for Rift/Rift-S and Quest/Quest2. Launch the app and create an account through the Microsoft Account option (only Microsoft-linked accounts will have access to the event). The keynote session will appear in the main menu on the day of the event.
Last year Microsoft announced after Ignite 2020 in September that a digital event will take place in March 2021 and will showcase the latest technical announcements from Microsoft and Microsoft partners. The company also plans to host only digital events till July 2021.
Update February 24, 2021 3:15 PM: Added details on the introduction of a mixed reality keynote experience coming to Microsoft Ignite March digital event.
[jetpack_subscription_form show_subscribers_total=”false” button_on_newline=”false” submit_button_text=”Hi, sign up so you can get the latest in breaking news, reviews, opinions, events, opportunities and community updates right in your inbox.” custom_font_size=”16″ custom_border_radius=”0″ custom_border_weight=”1″ custom_padding=”15″ custom_spacing=”10″ submit_button_classes=”” email_field_classes=”” show_only_email_and_button=”true”]
Microsoft will celebrate Black History Month with collections of games, movies, tv shows and community events across Xbox and Windows. The company will be offering gaming experiences that highlight the contributions of Black and African American developers and creators.
Through the curation of collections of games, movies and tv shows by Black communities at Microsoft in the Windows and Xbox digital stores. Titles include, ‘Afterparty, Watch Dogs 2, Apex Legends, The Sims 4, Black Panther, Insecure, Hidden Figures and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’.
Microsoft will also raise awareness of causes that matter to Black communities and allow Xbox gamers to earn and donate Microsoft Rewards to organizations supporting Black communities.
These initiatives aren’t just a celebration of inclusion in gaming says Garron Ballard, Global Games Category Manager for Xbox and Windows Digital Stores. They’re also a chance to challenge assumptions around what a gamer or game developer looks like, he adds.
“I grew up playing video games, I’ve always been really interested in science fiction and fantasy. Growing up in an African American family and going to school in spaces where I was really in the minority … I always felt very abnormal,” “There are a lot of people who have preconceived notions of what a Black person is or what a Black person should like.”
Garron Ballard
Minecraft Education Edition is also offering four lessons as a free demo from now till 28th February to anyone to mark the celebrations. The four lessons cover social justice, identity, and civil rights. They are ‘Good Trouble: Black lives matter, Good Trouble US Civil Rights, The “I”in Identity and Who is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’.
Microsoft notes these initiatives are not limited to Black History Month. It says it is part of the inclusion work happening at Microsoft to make gaming for everyone.
[jetpack_subscription_form show_subscribers_total=”false” button_on_newline=”false” submit_button_text=”Hi, sign up so you can get the latest in breaking news, reviews, opinions, events, opportunities and community updates right in your inbox.” custom_font_size=”16″ custom_border_radius=”0″ custom_border_weight=”1″ custom_padding=”15″ custom_spacing=”10″ submit_button_classes=”” email_field_classes=”” show_only_email_and_button=”true”]
