Over 2000 youth receive ReadytoWork Certificates

The free face-to-face Ready to Work skills training commenced on December 5^th 2016 at the HUB, Oasis Mall. Over 2,000 youth have so far attained the free training where by at the end, each participant received two Certificates; 1) Barclays ReadytoWork, 2) Google Digicon Mini. ReadytoWork created by Barclays Bank together with DigiCon Mini – Created by Google and implemented by Blu Flamingo intends to provide face-to-face free skills training sessions from 5^th to 16^th December 2016.

Speaking at the training, Juliana K. Lugayizi Citizenship Manager, Marketing and Corporate Relations, Barclays Uganda said “Barclays is committed for the next three years to manage ReadytoWork initiative. Over 7,000 people have already registered online but not all have trained due to challenges of internet data. Much as ReadytoWork is predominantly online based, this face-to-face training is to help manage the internet data challenge by giving participants a chance to finish the ReadytoWork course.” Lugayizi added that “Barclays Bank came up with this ReadytoWork initiative because it wants the youth to be job creators.” She noted that most youth lack confidence and therefore the ReadytoWork training intends to build on their confidence to go in for jobs and be successful. Young people in Uganda are grappling with the challenge of limited opportunities, lack of skills and uncertainty about how to gain meaningful employment or become entrepreneurs. With the Ready to Work training, young people will be empowered with the training, support and learning they need to enhance their employment and self-employability prospects. 

Thomas Twesige, Project Manager BrighterMonday Uganda, the implementing partners of Barclays ReadytoWork said “We have an unsubstantiated 80% unemployed youth in Uganda. As BrighterMonday, we seek to empower as many youth as possible for the ReadytoWork skills.” Twesige added that this training will further prepare young people for the critical transition from education into the world of work. It will be based on four modules namely: Work Skills, People skills, Money Skills and Entrepreneurial skills. Kwikiriza Benson a of the beneficiary of the two-day free applauded the organizers of the training saying “ReadytoWork has taught me that knowledge is more powerful and with the acquisition of knowledge and Skills through this program I am now able to apply skills learnt to push my business to the next level.” Another beneficiary, Ahirirwe Oliviah said “The ReadytoWork Modules has taught me to groom my emotional intelligence in order to excel at my work environment.” @ReadytoWorkUg is targeted at High school students in their A-level, University students, Tertiary institutions and graduates who already completed their respective courses but are looking to better their employability skills. This training is also appropriate for persons of all ages interested in scaling up their skills in any of the four module areas. ‘ReadytoWork’s primary aim is to improve the employment prospects of young people through education resources, online content, workshops and work experience, better equipping them to find work opportunities or start up their own business. The ReadytoWork curriculum is currently in the process of being accredited through the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) which is recognized in all of Barclays’ 12 Africa markets. This free Ready to Work self-taught training can be done both online and face-to-face, and can be completed within just two days. Youth who could not do online registration are encouraged to come to the Hub, Oasis Mall to manually register and have the opportunity to acquire the free skills training on the following dates, namely; 12^th-13^th and 15^th-16^th December, 2016. For more information, please follow us on Twitter @ReadytoWorkUg and Facebook @ReadytoWorkUg