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