Global leader in technology training and skills development ALX inaugurated the second hybrid cohort of this year of passionate young tech enthusiasts at their Karibu welcome event on Saturday, October 21, 2023.
This follows the success of cohort one, and progress of ALX's bold vision of addressing unemployment in Africa by enabling two million young African professionals to secure dignified and meaningful work opportunities by 2030 through its world-class tech training programmes and soft skills development.
Countdown to Karibu
Demonstrating ALX’s commitment to build the largest pool of trained technical professionals in Africa and addressing the worldwide tech talent shortfall that is predicted to exceed 85 million people by 2030, the Karibu (meaning 'welcome' in Swahili) event was a hybrid gathering – connecting students from eight cities across Africa - at the ALX Tech Hub in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
This celebratory event underscores the remarkable success of the inaugural May 2023 session, where ALX's distinctive combination of in-depth technical training and soft skills development resonated powerfully within the tech community.
Uplifting Africa's Untapped Talent
"ALX training programmes are about potential, which includes qualities like courage, passion, resilience, imagination, and values as well as the power of community. The Karibu event celebrates past achievements and recognises the vast untapped potential among our fresh cohort," says Divesh Sooka, General Manager of ALX South Africa, who will lead a session on the history of ALX at the event.
‘Africa's greatest resources are our youth," says Fred Swaniker, Founder of ALX .
By 2030, Africa will have a larger workforce than China, and by 2050, it will have the largest workforce in the world. One billion people will need jobs in Africa. Our mission is to address this challenge.
The Community to Power Your Future
“The Two hundred and fifty local learners who physically attended the event and connected virtually with peers from various African cities, fostered a sense of continental unity and shared purpose,” continued Sooka, "Seeing the impact and transformation in our first cohort of learners reaffirms the importance and success of what we're doing at ALX.”
Digital Career-Ready Skills to Transform the Future
The event agenda was designed to embolden new learners, featuring icebreakers, an ALX values experiential activity, and a tour of the dynamic Tech Hub. Testimonials from the first cohort spotlighted real-life success stories, with alumni learners —known as 'Fellows'—sharing insights from their transformative journey.
An interactive panel discussion also brought together Fellows and top-tier employer partners for a conversation about tech trends, digital transformation, and the multifaceted tech landscape. This dialogue aimed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, showcased the real-world impact of ALX's comprehensive training approach.
ALX Makes Leaders, Not Learners
Past alumni have great things to say about ALX: "It has shaped everything that I am at the moment," says Lazarus Mamai, from Nairobi, Kenya. "You meet people who are making dreams come true, and who are doing impossible things," adds Elizabeth Okullow also from Kenya.
Stacey Anyango from the successful first hybrid cohort of 2023 concludes, "It's inspiring and motivating to be in a community of people who are willing to step into their future by being bold, going into uncharted waters and testing things out."
"The programme is challenging. Hands-on scenarios and putting our problem-solving skills into practice was very helpful. I often reference these scenarios in my current position" says alumni Amohelang Lebele (Data analyst at AWS),
But the hard things in life are the things that lead you further and I know that as challenging as a project may seem, I have all the tools I need to do the job.
A Career in the World’s Fastest Growing Industries
ALX stands as a beacon for prospective tech students, affirming that their journey is a stride towards a promising and innovative future.
"Our Karibu event is a testament to ALX's pledge to revolutionize tech education across Africa," concludes Divesh Sooka, "We are more than a training provider; we are a community that supports and accelerates one another, evidenced by the successes of our esteemed Fellows."
