Access Bank Plc, Udacity partner to drive tech development across Africa

By Alexander Chiejina

•  awards 1,000 Nanodegree programme scholarships in 2023

Access Bank Plc is partnering with Udacity to pioneer a fully digital programme that aims at sourcing for exceptional youths across Africa. The objective is to find young people who are interested in taking advantage of the opportunity to hone their skills in digital paths and achieve mastery and at the same time can learn and earn for free.

The entire programme is designed for youths to learn and carry out innovative projects that bring solutions to real-world problems that will enable them to level up their skills, earn badges/nanodegrees and be ready for the future of work.

Participants will be part of a tech-focused community and will build their network with other young inspiring youths across Africa with the same goal.

Through this collaboration, Access Bank and Udacity are expected to provide 2000 Nanodegree programme scholarships for people in Africa to build practical, in-demand, cutting-edge tech skills. The scholarship will create upskilling opportunities for scholarship recipients and give them the skills needed to kick start their careers by many tech companies today.

The scholarship opportunity also seeks to provide hands-on learning opportunities in fields such as Business Analytics, Programming, Data Science, Product Management and Digital Marketing. Scholarship recipients will complete a portfolio of real-world projects that demonstrate mastery of highly sought-after tech skills.

Udacity and Access Bank noted that as the world becomes increasingly reliant on digital tools,so does the need for tech-fluent talent, creating a chance for youths to begin a long-term career. They further stated their commitment to closing the divide between the number of tech jobs available and the number of Africans working in tech by providing opportunities to those who would not otherwise have them. Together, both institutions said they are working towards ensuring a robust pipeline of trained, talented tech professionals by offering:

• 2,000 Nanodegree program scholarships for Africans to build practical, in-demand, cutting-edge tech skills.

• Engagement with classmates in a robust, actively managed, student community.

• Subject matter experts and on-demand tutors.

The scholarship will create upskilling opportunities for individuals and give them the skills needed in the digital world. In fact, the tech industry comprises some of the highest growth, most in-demand careers today.

Access Bank Plc in a statement, said  the training is open to STEM graduates and other young graduates with a strong interest in pursuing a career in IT & Digital roles who have consistent access to a laptop, strong data network and power supply can register for the programme.

According to Africa’s leading financial institution, “Participants successful after all assessments and programme completion will have an opportunity to be selected for permanent roles. The training is virtual although successful participants may be required to have hands-on training with the bank after completion of all courses.

“The entire programme requires about 10-12 months’ minimum completion time. Applicants must be willing to commit two months to complete the challenge course and another two months for the initial training phase. Only successful candidates at the first training phase will get a spot on the second training phase.”

The deadline for the scholarship application ends on June 13, 2023. Successful applicants are given the opportunity to compete and discover their potentials in the different tracks. Participants will take part in taster sessions that develop problem-solving, conflict resolution, community challenge and employability skills. Participants who successfully complete the course are awarded a badge that can be displayed on LinkedIn and other social media apps to upgrade their profiles.

Top participants from the previous level are given the opportunity to complete the intermediate nanodegrees and successful candidates will be given a scholarship to progress to Level 2 where they will obtain an advanced Nanodegree.