From classroom to profession: Ghana’s new gateway to tech success

0
254

[ad_1]

At Cisco, we care deeply about innovation and sensible effectiveness. When responding to social challenges, we wish to be a part of options that work—and that usually means drawing nimbly, as one Cisco, from our complete organizational toolset, no matter division or area inside the firm.

By listening to our nonprofit collaborators after which choosing from our suite of confirmed interventions as we assemble a custom-made help bundle, we will empower our social affect companions to assist extra folks, extra effectively, in a extra sustainable method. We search for measurable outcomes, and we like to see our grantees utilizing know-how to vary extra lives for the higher.

Uplifting communities by digital skilling

The Chorkor Digital Lab, a venture run by Cisco social affect accomplice BASICS International, exemplifies our integrative and results-oriented method. BASICS gives training, meals, and healthcare for kids locally of Chorkor and surrounding areas in Ghana, West Africa—serving to complete communities rise out of poverty. Their new lab is getting ready previously underserved college students for dynamic careers in cybersecurity, networking, and extra. Supported by Cisco Networking Academy in addition to our Technology Grant Program, the lab provides a hub for studying, collaboration, and creativity, the place college students be taught cutting-edge abilities that may assist them flourish within the digital financial system.

 

Learn how college students in Ghana put together for thrilling tech careers on the Chorkor Digital Lab.

BASICS International CEO and founder Patricia Wilkins notes that Chorkor’s repute as exhausting to assist was precisely what impressed her to dive in and start unlocking the potential of the neighborhood. “We always felt we needed to give children access to technology,” she stated. “When we learned about Cisco’s program, where they meet students where they are, and give them the technical skills and computer skills that they need, we got on board.”

Sharing Cisco’s trusted curriculum and know-how

Wilkins additionally manages the BASICS Cisco Academy, guaranteeing that college students get full entry to Cisco’s trusted curriculum as they work in direction of the certifications that may unlock higher jobs and futures upon commencement. Cisco Networking Academy is a world, IT skills-to-jobs program, providing digital abilities coaching to organize college students for industry-standard certifications and careers in networking, cybersecurity, and associated fields.

“For over two decades, BASICS International has believed in supporting the whole child—combining education, nutrition, mentorship, and life skills to help young people thrive and lead change in their communities.” —Patricia Wilkins, CEO and founder, BASICS International

Chorkor Digital Lab students working on desktop computers.Chorkor Digital Lab students working on desktop computers.
Students studying new technical abilities within the Chorkor Digital Lab.

Cisco’s Technology Grant Program gives our personal know-how to qualifying nonprofit organizations to assist them notice vital features in productiveness, safety, scalability, and value effectivity. For the Chorkor Lab, a Technology Grant was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the Networking Academy.

Patrick Verret, who managed the know-how grant, explains, “We helped them establish a secure and stable network for students to access Cisco Networking Academy, utilize other online learning materials, and collaborate with others across the internet. Thanks to our Meraki firewalls, switches, and access points, students can connect to the network throughout the building, via both wired and wireless connections.”

Dreaming of—and dealing in direction of—careers in tech

Already, the Lab is altering lives. “I wanted to do computer science, but I couldn’t get a chance to do it, because the fees that you have to pay are very high. It has been my dream for so long,” stated pupil Joyce Banahene, who’s aiming to search out work as a community engineer when she completes her certification.

Also feeling impressed, pupil Joy Adevu famous, “I’ll be working in any tech company. Probably Cisco, Apple, Samsung—any of them!”

Related hyperlinks

Share:

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here