LadiesInTech
Problem statement
Women are currently under-represented in the Tech Industry, with only 23% of tech jobs in South Africa currently held by women. We can improve the representation of women in this industry by building an academy that uses a blended learning approach to empower participants to acquire tech jobs and/ or initiate entrepreneurial initiatives that will enable them to live self-determined lives and sustain their families.
Proposed solution
The Ladies in Tech project aims to train and empower 40 unemployed young women (aged 19-24) with user end digital and coding skills. Working together with NGOs, a blended learning approach will ensure participants also learn critical professional and personal development skills to increase their career options and access to employment.
· The program will run for a 12-month period
· The program will consist of user end computer skills, business and problem-solving skills, personal mastery and development as well as creating opportunities through job immersions.
· The program will be 40% class work and 60% online, practical work through industry related workshops and project work.
Target audience
The target audience for this project is 40 unemployed young women
· Women aged 19 to 24
· Women living in densely populated low-income communities that are most affected by socio economic factors
Short- and long-term goals of the project
· Address the lack of skills and knowledge among young women that is required for employment
· Assisting women to become independent and economically active
· Acquiring long term funding for the project as well as the project being self-sustaining through charging a participation fee
· Providing accredited business and leadership courses facilitated by NGO partners
Hub activities involved in this project:
· Establishing partnerships with the NGO we will be working with
· Fundraising to cover costs associated with the project
· Recruitment of 40 women for the program
· Course content for the 12-month program
o Hosting 8-week business leadership, personal development and job-readiness course (Dream factory)
o Hosting 8-week user computer course (Silulo Ulutho)
· Linking participants to further opportunities post the 12-month course
How impact is measures
· Number of women that successful attend and complete the program
· Number of women receiving post academy opportunities (jobs, further education or entrepreneurship)
· Number of women employed post the program
· Transfer of skills and knowledge acquired through this program
· Number of women that are independent and economically active
Impact achieved through the project
· 22 women graduated from the program.
· 10 women received individual coaching for a period of 6 months post the program.
· 10 women received scholarships for further academic study.
· 15 women received post academy opportunities.
· 15 women are independent and economically active.
Collaboration
· Dream factory foundation
· The social makeover
· Silulo Ulutho technologies