Ekiti Partners Microsoft to Train 2,000 Youth in Global Digital Skills

The Ekiti State Government, in partnership with the Microsoft Nigeria,
has trained thousands of unemployed and underemployed youths across
the state on new digital skills through the Global Skilling Initiative
(GSI).

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, also assured that the
state government would pay for the certification examinations of up to
2,000 residents in various skills of their choice in order to improve
their credentials under the GSI.

Fayemi, in a statement issue yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary,
Mr. Yinka Oyebide, said the programme, which was designed by Microsoft
and its partners, LinkedIn and GitHub, would help young people to
acquire skills that would make them employable in the post-COVID-19
marketplace.

The governor added that entrepreneurs and business owners could use
the programme to build the capacity of their various employees,
promote professionalism, improved work output and excellent service
delivery.

“Applicants will be trained on various skills such as customer
service, digital marketing, financial analysis, graphics designing, IT
support/help, desk technology, project management, sales development,
data analysis, IT administration and software development. Successful
participants will acquire industry-recognised IT Certification.

“The partnership is part of the state government’s strategic focus on
the Ekiti Knowledge Zone initiative to ensure that Ekiti develops a
talent pool that will make it an attractive destination for both
domestic and international technology companies. It also reinforces
the Ekiti heritage of being a knowledge-driven society.

“The GSI is Microsoft’s response to help 25 million people worldwide
acquire new digital skills for the COVID-19 economy.”