Connect Academy Delivers Jobs for First Cohort
Connect Academy Delivers Jobs for First Cohort
Connect Academy has held its first graduation ceremony, celebrating 48 students who have completed the three-month programme. Impressively, 98% have already secured jobs at Safaricom and partner organisations.
Building Digital Talent for Kenya’s Future
Safaricom and the ICT Authority launched Connect Academy during the 2024 Connected Africa Summit. The initiative aims to bridge Kenya’s widening digital talent gap by equipping young people with practical fibre deployment and digital infrastructure skills.
Dr. Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom Plc, noted that the academy demonstrates the company’s commitment to building Kenya’s digital future. He added that the inaugural class reflects a promising generation prepared for a digitally led economy.
Connect Academy Delivers Jobs for First Cohort
A Diverse and Inclusive First Cohort
The first cohort drew students from Safaricom’s technician base, community applicants, and referrals from the Connected Africa Summit. This approach ensured a mix of backgrounds and created an inclusive opportunity for digital upskilling.
During the intensive programme, students received hands-on technical training, mentorship from experts, and exposure to real work environments, skills that directly align with industry needs.
Strong Employment Outcomes
The programme has already shown remarkable results. Almost all graduates 98% have transitioned into employment at Safaricom or partner institutions.
According to Zilpher Owiti, the Acting CEO of the ICT Authority, the partnership supports Kenya’s national goal of strengthening the ICT workforce.
She emphasized that aligning training with real industry requirements ensures a steady pipeline of skilled technicians ready to support Kenya’s expanding digital infrastructure.
Looking Ahead: Cohort 2 Begins in January
Connect Academy will launch Cohort 2 in January. Safaricom and the ICT Authority plan to broaden opportunities for young people and continuously improve the curriculum.
Their collective goal is to nurture a highly skilled workforce capable of powering Kenya’s national digital agenda in the years ahead.
