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MTN Uganda, via its company social accountability 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 yr, MTN Uganda accepted 100 fellows into this system, with 87 graduating below Ace Skilling.
MTN Uganda, via its company social accountability arm, MTN Foundation, proudly publicizes 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 data, expertise, and experiences. The purpose is to organize individuals to deal with their communities’ urgent challenges utilizing modern ICT options.
Spanning 12 months and masking the whole nation, this system is predicted to make a big affect 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 smooth expertise; Ace Career, which supplies absolutely 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 below the Ace Skilling part, which focuses on important technical laptop expertise and smooth 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 following era of entrepreneurs and innovators to create sustainable options for his or her communities. Through initiatives like this, we imagine we are able to drive significant change in Uganda’s financial system and encourage a future stuffed with potentialities.”
Mutana additionally emphasised that the MTN Ace Program is carefully 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, range, and fairness.
The MTN Ace Program continues to place itself as a vital software in addressing youth unemployment in Uganda. With greater than 75% of the nation’s inhabitants below the age of 30 and a youth unemployment price of 13.3%, applications like MTN Ace are important in equipping younger folks with the talents vital 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 via 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 applications. As a part of its long-term technique, MTN Foundation stays devoted to uplifting communities and empowering youth throughout Uganda via 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 can empower them to ascertain their very own companies. He emphasised that the MTN ACE program will likely be anchored within the Digital Transformation Roadmap, guiding individuals to focus their modern concepts on nationwide precedence sectors similar to business agriculture, oil and fuel, 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 getting ready the youths for the job market.
“Over time, we’ve acknowledged that whereas universities supply a robust theoretical basis, they typically fall brief in equipping college students with the sensible expertise wanted to thrive within the workforce,” She mentioned.
“That’s why we’re dedicated to offering our fellows with the important expertise that can 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 mentioned they’re excited with serving to the youths with technical expertise that can allow them create their very own enterprises.
Last yr, 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 varied coaching alternatives via platforms such because the MTN Skills Academy, which helps younger folks undertake digital expertise for digital jobs and notice their full potential whereas making constructive contributions to their communities and the nation.
