Overview:
MUBS’ Entrepreneurship expert, Dr. Diana Ntamu also urged the youth to seize this opportunity to improve their odds of finding employment as well as advancing their careers.
MTN Uganda’s Corporate Social Responsibility arm, MTN Foundation, has launched a nationwide youth-centered economic empowerment initiative dubbed the MTN ACE.
The MTN ACE initiative was launched in Kampala on Thursday at the National ICT Innovation hub under the theme “Digital Skills for digital jobs”.
Speaking at the launch of the multi-billion MTN ACE campaign, Sylvia Mulinge, the MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer, expressed MTN’s commitment towards empowering the youth, especially considering the soaring levels of unemployment in the country.
“This multi-pronged campaign will offer opportunities to a cross-section of the youth of this country and empower them on their various career journeys. They shall be able to get hands-on training for job placements as well as the much-needed digital skills to help them flourish in their various careers as well as innovate ideas that would allow them to start businesses that might even become global,” She said, “I thank all our partners who have made this vision a reality,” Mulinge said, noting that it will require a concerted effort to deal with the unemployment issue in Uganda.
Hon. Joyce Ssebugwawo, the State Minister of ICT, lauded MTN Uganda and its partners for the critical campaign that is crucial to bridging the digital skills gap in the country as it further positions itself for the 4th industrial revolution.
“ICT skills are at the heart of Uganda’s development agenda. We believe that by empowering the youth to harness the digital era, Uganda shall be able to earn its share of the digital dividend in the near future. I urge the youth out there to seize this opportunity,” Hon Ssebugwawo said.
Dr Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary Ministry of ICT & National Guidance commended MTN for implementing the national initiative.’ I am happy about today because it’s a testament to what happens when Government and private sector partner, effectively partner. In MTN Uganda and Centenary Technology Services, we have started a solid partnership that will contribute to developing a digitally experienced and empowered society to spur innovation and productivity of our people, organizations, businesses and government. Importantly, through this increased productivity, employment opportunities for our young people will be created,’ Dr Aminah remarked.
‘I encourage our youth across the country to use this opportunity to unlock their potential through digital skills,’ Dr Aminah concluded.
Peter Kahiigi, Centenary Technology Service’s Chief Technology Officer commenting after the launch of MTN ACE said, ‘MTN ACE will help SMEs access digital skills and close the digital skills gap. These newly acquired skills will be build the resilience of these SMEs.’
‘After today, we shall implement a national incubation and acceleration program that will change the lives of 80 companies across Uganda. This program will include training, incubation and acceleration,’ Kahiigi added.
MUBS’ Entrepreneurship expert, Dr. Diana Ntamu also urged the youth to seize this opportunity to improve their odds of finding employment as well as advancing their careers. She particularly lauded the MTN ACE Career Program which shall enable fresh graduates to acquire necessary hands-on skills that shall enable them find suitable employment upon completion.
MTN Skills Program comment: To be added at the event
Applications for the three programs namely; ACE Tech, ACE Career, and ACE Skills commenced on 15th December 2022 and shall close next year on January 13th. Interested youths can submit their applications through www.mtn.co.ug/mtnace
The initiative provides a three-months soft skills training and internship placement for selected participating fresh graduates. Initially, a total of 100 recent graduates will be shortlisted to participate. Fifty (50) of the shortlisted graduates will be recruited in cohort 1 and another fifty graduates will be recruited in cohort 2. Graduates who successfully go through the program will be placed at MTN Uganda to do internship for a period of three months. Makerere University Business School Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship Centre (MUBS-EIIC) will serve as the training and coaching implementing partner in the program and will also be responsible for conducting research and tracer studies.
You must be logged in to post a comment.