Kenyans can now enroll for the Basic Digital Skills Course, which is among the three core subjects under the Citizen Digital Skills Program, at a discount of forty percent (40%) of the earlier cost of Sh 2,500.
The offer, which brings the registration cost to Sh 1,500, will run from 1st to 29th of February 2024, and seeks to onboard Kenyans who will be trained for ten days on the essential knowledge and proficiency required to thrive in a digitally driven society.
Learners will undertake ten modules in Basic Digital Skills including; Digital Devices in a Digital Workspace, Skills in Basic Productivity Tools, Communication and Collaboration, Accessing Government Services and Youth Opportunities, Basic Video Production and Editing, Learning Online, Basic Online Work Skills, Online Business & Digital Entrepreneurship, Cyber Hygiene for Workers and Basic E-Waste Management.
Registration for the course is currently ongoing at: https://www.smartacademy.go.ke/
The move seeks to empower Kenyans to access online government services, enhance e-commerce, and improve their general knowledge of information security.
Speaking after the announcement, Stanley Kamanguya, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the ICT Authority, urged all Kenyans to take advantage of the registration window and ensure that they have registered to acquire the skills and knowledge.
“The basic digital skills course is open to all. With the steering committee, we would like to encourage as many citizens as possible to register and be part of the people seizing the opportunities in the digital world. After completing the course, we are going to certify the trainees, and we are sure that this is a decision they will be proud of,” said Kamanguya.
“The digital economy in our nation is growing rapidly. We would not wish to see any Kenyan being left behind and this is why we are rallying more Kenyans to take this opportunity,” he remarked, adding that the programs will be undertaken through various institutions spread across the Country.
The CEO disclosed that the Authority already has a consortium of 50 institutions that will be undertaking the training physically and that anyone can also access the lessons from anywhere.
Since the course is also flexible, Kamanguya maintained that the ICT Authority is optimistic that many Kenyans will join.
The Government of Kenya, through the ICT Authority, is targeting to train five million Kenyans on digital skills in one year and 20 million by 2032, as illustrated in the National Digital Master Plan for the year 2022-2032.
By Michael Omondi
