Spotlight

Four organisations training African youth in tech skills like coding

Here are virtual learning development platforms that train tech enthusiasts with hands-on skills to thrive in tech.

In Africa, women are about 30% of the continent's tech professionals

Today, anyone can learn any tech skill from anywhere in the world with an internet connection and a PC. This is all thanks to the myriad of information available online. However, some of us struggle with learning in an unstructured way. This usually leads to procrastination, lethargy and eventual abandoning of the course.

Here are virtual learning development platforms that train tech enthusiasts with hands-on skills to thrive in tech. These platforms run a structured curriculum created by industry knowledge experts and co-created with leading companies.

The courses run for a specific duration and most of them offer certifications recognised in the industry. Although not a guarantee for every participant, employers of labour across the globe employ talents from these platforms.

Skills taught by the learning platforms include Frontend development, Backend development, Cloud engineering, Data Science, Mobile development, Product design, Product Marketing, Product management, etc.

The learning platforms are Stutern, Seamfix NextGen, AltSchool, and Utiva

Stutern

Stutern is a skills development and job placement platform that trains and connects young African talents with long-term employment. Skills taught at Stutern include UI/UX Design, Frontend Development, Backend Development, Data Science, Mobile Development.

The 100 percent online program is between 16 to 24 weeks. However, group classes are held two times a week. Stutern has a workspace in Gbagada, Lagos for enrolled learners who need access to the internet, power supply, and sometimes, the community of other learners.

The tuition fee for courses is ₦540,000. Stutern has flexible payment plans which include instalment payments and income-sharing agreements. The skills development platform runs an African TechSis scholarship which provides a 50% discount off tuition.

SeamFix NextGen Academy

A software development company with over a decade of experience in training problem solvers, Seamfix NextGen builds mission-critical solutions that empower organisations. Seamfix holds classes for 5 days in 19 weeks.

The fully online program covers Frontend Web Development, Backend Web Development and Product Design. However, every learner will have access to live classes, facilitators, mentors and learning tribes.

The tuition fee is ₦150,000 for a one-time payment and ₦180,000 for instalments. Application is ₦5,999 for early registration and ₦7,999 for late registration.

AltSchool Africa

AltSchool is the school for individuals looking to gain technical skills and kickstart a career in tech. The school takes a non-traditional approach to learning by teaching courses directly connected with the selected track.

Some of the skills taught include Frontend, Backend, Cloud engineering, Product design, Product Marketing and Product management. Majority of the classes are online but there’s also community peer learning. The duration of the courses is 12 months.

AltSchool also has a flexible payment plan. $290 (₦120,500) for a one-time full payment with 20% off. $80 (₦33,500) quarterly payment with 11% off and $30 (₦12,500) monthly payment for the duration of the course.

Utiva

Utiva is a leading tech education company in sub-Saharan Africa helping people learn premium skills virtually and connect these talents to companies who hire them. The curriculums are designed by industry knowledge experts and co-created with leading companies.

Utiva has a Data school, Design school, Product school, Programming school, Cloud Computing and Marketing School. The 100 percent virtual program takes participants through 6 weeks of experiential learning and hands-on training sessions. The tuition fee at Utiva is ₦42,000. Payments can be made in two instalments with 70% of initial payments being made.