Digital Talent

Digital platform opens up ‘new collar’ work vista for millions of Africans.

- Schalk Burger

Digital devices and systems are crucial components of almost all professions and are changing industries and economies worldwide. Familiarity and competence with these technologies are usually the result of education and access to the technologies.

Technology multinational IBM’s DigitalNation Africa (DNA) cloud-based education platform will provide millions of people with access to certified short courses aimed at developing digital skills, which are in high demand and increasingly necessary for businesses, and therefore empower businesses, government and societies.

“The DNA initiative aims to empower African citizens, entrepreneurs and communities with the knowledge and tools to design, develop and launch their own digital solutions, enabling digital competence and nurturing innovation in Africa,” says IBM South Africa country GM Hamilton Ratshefola.

Modern digital professionals have diverse ranges of skills and are comfortable using a range of technologies, and readily learn and adopt new technologies as part of their work. These professionals are the so-called ‘new collar’ workers.

The platform is part of IBM’s global push to build the next generation of skills needed for new collar careers, which will support the adoption and use of digital systems in all industries and sectors in Africa.

“To find solutions to Africa’s challenges, industries across the spectrum need to enable the existing and future workforce to perform at the forefront of technologies such as cognitive and cloud computing. This will be the key to spurring economic growth,” he says.

The DNA initiative is in the pilot phase and the full launch and drive to generate mass adoption will start at the end of June.