Firm Empowers Youths through Online Project Mgt

Uchechukwu Nnaike

An ICT firm, Career Insights, a subsidiary of Digital Bananas Technology, is poised to curb the problem of unemployment in the country by creating an online platform for youths to gain practical work experience in project management or business analysis on a voluntary basis after being trained by a team of digital project management and business analysis experts.

Briefing journalists at the launch of Career Insight Nigeria, in Lagos recently, the founder of Digital Bananas Technology, Mr. Keji Giwa, said the company, which has operated in the UK for about 10 years, has helped about 10,000 people to secure jobs abroad.

He said he decided to launch the company in Nigeria to provide youths with experience that will give them competitive advantage at a subsidised rate.

According to him, the firm offers comprehensive and well blended work-based learning environment with senior leadership workshops, innovative projects to work on, inspirational sessions, as well as one-to-one mentoring to help over 30 candidate secure life changing roles each month.

“At Career Insights they are not just trainers but also passionate researchers, analysts, consultants and most importantly, practitioners. Meaning, the insight and advice you get is completely up to date and relevant to your chosen industry so you can be confident that what you are learning is cutting edge.”

He said with a monthly subscription of N39,000, which is minimal when compared with the N810,000 (1,790 Pounds) charged in the UK, participants get to work with others on live digital projects to give them the experiences they will be able to draw on throughout their careers.

However, he said those who have experience in certain fields, who come on the platform to add value to the inexperienced ones do not need to pay the subscription fee.

He said the platform will benefit graduates as “the more work experience you have as a graduate, the stronger your chances of securing a well-paid role relevant to your educational and career status.” It also serves as a career changer for those that are fed up with their current roles and need a career change; something more challenging, exciting and pays well; as well those who feel they need to move up to a more managerial or an analytical role.

He said one does not require much experience to be on the platform, adding, “all we require is for you to have a strong desire to succeed, not afraid to get your hands dirty, willing to learn and apply yourself.”

Giwa said the business has grown through word of mouth, adding that when one of the candidates secures a project management or business analysis role as a result of the e-Workexperience, they tend to tell their friends and family members, which in turn generates more business for the company.

On the kind of services the company renders, he said it provides digital solutions and digital transformation, as well as helps companies have a digital strategy.

“Because we are living in a digital age, you need to find a way to connect with the customers and transform your businesses. We missed out on the industrial age; we must not miss out on the digital age.”