How Africa can become digital hub for skills

For Africa to become a digital hub for skills, it has been said that there is the need to reshape the thinking around skilling.

Skills Programme Manager, Microsoft 4Afrika, Martin Ndlovu, stated that: “We must abandon the notion that skilling is a once-off event that happens at the start of our careers (the traditional university/college precept), and look at it as a continuous arc of learning that progresses throughout our working lives.”

He further noted that:”Stanford professor Carol Dweck is famous for her philosophy of a growth mindset – that “In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point.

“This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.” It is imperative for all current and future employees to adopt a growth mindset.”

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Ndlovu, while empasising the need for a shift in model of learning posited that:”Naturally, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated our shift to digital learning platforms. While training has traditionally been predominantly classroom-driven, the pandemic made the shift to virtual an unavoidable and essential progression.

From necessity, people have come to realise that virtual training is a viable option.

“Self-paced online learning opens many doors for people who may otherwise not be exposed to these experiences. For example, 4Afrika-supported SkillsLabs across Africa have migrated to digital learning platforms during the pandemic, while our volunteer programme, MySkills4Afrika, has pivoted to virtual engagements as travel bans and lockdowns make in-person training and engagements unachievable.”

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE