Green Digital Skills
The digital revolution is upon us, but to what cost to our environment:
The Green Digital Skills Capacity Building Program, spearheaded by ACWICT and designed by INCO Academy with the support of Microsoft and LinkedIn, aimed to empower individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds with skills necessary to promote sustainable digital practices within their communities. Program was initiated to address the growing need for sustainable digital practices in the face of climate change. The five months program utilized weekly workshops to guide participants through comprehensive course content and mentorship, enabling them to develop viable capstone projects. Specifically, the program aimed at:
- Educating participants on the impact of digital technology on climate change.
- Providing practical skills for creating sustainable digital products and services.
- Guiding participants in developing and implementing community-based projects that promote sustainability.
- Preparing participants for green and greening careers in the digital sector.
The program successfully recruited 185 learners kicked off with a training of trainers (ToT) session for the ACWICT staff participating in the project. The ToT session equipped them with the skills and knowledge to effectively guide the 185 participants enrolled in the program. 70% of the participants enrolled were female, while 77% were young people aged 30 years and below. At the end of the six weeks training, 34% of participants had earned free LinkedIn premium access for a whole year, enhancing their professional development and career prospects. Additionally, nearly 70% of the participants were university graduates with a bachelor’s or undergraduate degree with the rest being high school an technical and vocational education (TVETs) graduates, and Master’s or post graduate degree and more.
The training was delivered virtually, through the INCO Academy platform. The self-paced nature of the training allowed participants flexibility while also receiving valuable support from Trainers through weekly virtual sessions on Microsoft Teams platform. Trainers provided contact hours for guidance, helping learners engage with the material and apply it effectively while also addressing challenges faced by learners.
Learners Feedback:
“The Green Digital Skills course has significantly transformed my approach to sustainability in healthcare. By integrating energy-efficient technologies and reducing electronic waste, I can now contribute to a more sustainable healthcare set up. For instance, I plan to optimize the energy consumption of medical devices and processes leveraging my background in Clinical Research to analyse and implement these changes effectively.” Stanley Museti, Medical Lab Scientist
“I’m happy to have been part of GDS program. The course was an eye opener for me, I got a chance to learn how to position myself in the digital space. As a professional in the Environmental field, I had not explored career options in the digital space but after the training I did. Recently I got hired by an American startup as a remote Research intern, thanks to the training. I look forward to applying the skills I acquired and to drive a positive impact in the digital space.” – Lilian Vutagwa, Environmental Conservationist