Are you a female developer living in Nigeria? Apply to participate in the second cohort of the Microsoft Nigeria LEAP Engineering Acceleration Program.
The LEAP Engineering Acceleration Program is a Microsoft initiative that tries to increase diversity. Bringing more women into software engineering roles. By providing them with real world experience through development and project management apprenticeships with hands-on projects.
Speaking to me about the program, Princess Anya, shares that the ladies will undergo four weeks of classroom and labs training. After which they will proceed to do twelve weeks of hands-on project sessions. Where they handle projects with guidance from mentors.
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Microsoft says skills development remains at the heart of its mission to empower everyone to achieve more. Doing this through a combination of strategic partnerships, trainings, real-world experiences and online classrooms environments. The company also says it provides future skills to those entering the industry and those already in the workforce.
Microsoft LEAP Engineering Acceleration Program (LEAP) is an initiative led by the Global Innovation Team and sponsored by Kevin Scott, Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft.
Akin Banuso, Microsoft Country Manager Nigeria and Ghana, notes that Microsoft believes in contributing to human capital development, empowering the youth and creating opportunities for individuals and organisations. As this will cultivate an environment that allows for growth of the knowledge-based economy.
“As a technology company, we are acutely aware of the responsibility we have to ensure all workers have a path to gain relevant skills. No matter where they are in their careers. For this reason, we will continue to – in partnership with non-profit organisations, government bodies, learning institutions and other entities – empower those already in the workforce with the capabilities needed to ensure financial stability, economic prosperity and opportunities for personal growth.”
The ladies in the software apprenticeship program will firstly receive 4 weeks of classroom training on Software Support Engineering. Then 12 weeks of hands-on projects training involving real life scenarios at partner organization Tek Experts.
Microsoft leaders meet with Nigeria tech innovators at a founders dinner in Lagos.
Microsoft for Startups team meets with innovators and leaders of technology organizations from across Nigeria that are “disrupting the way Nigerians experience payments, healthcare, transportation and education“.
The special drinks and dinner meetup brought together over forty innovators, founders and leaders in the Nigerian Tech ecosystem. The event was hosted by the Microsoft for Startups team and organized by TechCircle Nigeria.
Microsoft leaders at the event include, Microsoft Startup Advocacy lead and Cloud Developer Advocate, Simona Cotin, Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana Country Manager, Akin Banuso and Gafar LawalMicrosoft Africa Development Center Managing Director.
Simona Cotin shared Microsoft’s desire to deepen its relationship with the emerging tech scene in Africa. As well as work with communities in the area.
The team visited Nigerian startups OPay Nigeria, Paystack, PiggyVest and Flutterwave earlier in the day. Learning about the developer ecosystem. Simona and other Microsoft advocates also spoke at Concatenate developer conference in Lagos, where Microsoft was a platinum sponsor.
In February 2018 Microsoft announced Microsoft for Startups. A new program and platform for startups to grow, build and connect. Giving qualified startups access to technology, market and a community.
Microsoft is celebrating seven years of its 4Afrika initiative in Africa. Noting it has supported over three hundred startups providing them with business development support, access to markets and potential customers.
What do you think about Microsoft’s move into the African Tech scene. Share your thoughts with us.
Microsoft invites Nigerian students with a final graduation date in 2021 or 2022 to apply for a Software Engineering Internship.
Microsoft says you must be enrolled as a full-time student majoring in engineering, computer science or related field to be considered.
Software Engineering Internship in Nigeria
Responsibilities
Collaborate with a committed team to design, develop and test the next generation of technology solutions for millions of people
Work with teammates to solve problems and build innovative software solutions.
Provide technical guidance to Program Managers as they consider user needs and product requirements.
Demonstrate an ability to learn and adopt relevant new technologies, tools, methods and processes to leverage in your solutions.
Dedicate to building software to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more.
Qualifications
Currently pursuing bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, computer science or related field with at least one semester/quarter/term remaining after internship.
A year or two of experience programming in C++, Java or other computer programming languages preferred.
Ability to demonstrate understanding of algorithms, data structures and other systems architecture factors that affect code quality, performance and customer experience
Some experience building software outside of the classroom environment like an internship, hackathon, research project or related experience preferred
Demonstrated skill in time management and completing software projects in a cooperative team environment
Ten female developers will participate in the first cohort of the Microsoft LEAP Program in Nigeria. They will recieve sixteen weeks of training in technical support software engineering roles.
Microsoft Leap Hackathon in Nigeria
This is part of Microsoft‘s plans to encourage diversity and inclusivity in software engineering roles in Nigeria. Microsoft LEAP has started in Nigeria with the intention of getting more females into technology. Princess Anya, Microsoft Business program Manager, Global talent Innovation in charge of Microsoft Leap Program West Africa, tells me.
The LEAP Engineering Acceleration Program is a Microsoft initiative that tries to increase diversity. Bringing more women into software engineering roles. By providing them with real world experience through development and project management apprenticeships with hands-on projects.
Speaking to me about the program, Princess Anya, shares that the ladies will undergo four weeks of classroom and labs training. After which they will proceed to do twelve weeks of hands-on project sessions. Where they handle projects with guidance from mentors.
At the end of the 16 weeks LEAP apprenticeship program, the ladies will join Microsoft partner Tek Experts as full time employees. Where they will work as support Software Engineers, supporting customers with Microsoft Solutions.
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