The Kenyan Government has selected 400 interns to join the Presidential Digital Talent Programme (PDTP) which is meant to boost the country’s digital skilled manpower.
The ICT Authority on Monday conducted induction of the DigiTalent Cohort VI interns whose skills, according to ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru will be critical in driving the digital economy which requires a skilled workforce, especially within the small and medium enterprises.
“The government, through my ministry, is making tremendous efforts to increase connectivity and internet access across the country to enable uptake of technology solutions and bridge the digital divide. As a government, we are proponents of a smart economy and smart society. ICT has a great potential to transform the economy by expanding business opportunities for our young people,” said Mucheru.
He added that the government remains committed to fostering a globally responsive, competitive, and adaptive ICT workforce through such programs as PDTP, Ajira Digital, and Digital Learning Programme to respond to the industry’s current and future skills demands.
ICTA Chairman Prof Fredrick Owino said, “Over the years, Kenya has become a nation where every citizen has access to technology and can participate and thrive in a digital economy.”
ICTA expects the 400 PDTP interns to play a role in implementing the Digital Literacy program that seeks to train 20,000 Kenyans on basic digital skills which is the Authority’s key mandate.
“The ICT Authority is privileged to be mandated to address the challenge of youth employability in the ICT industry caused by a lack of skills and experience demanded by the industry. The PDTP is in line with the ICT Authority’s mandate of promoting ICT Literacy, capacity, innovation, and enterprise as envisioned by the ICT Masterplan of 2017. Through PDTP, the ICT Authority is championing the growth of an African-wide digital economy as envisioned by H.E the President,” said Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh, ICTA Ag Chief Executive Officer.
