Multimedia platform Trace and the Mastercard Foundation have launced a free-to-use, interactive, mobile-based learning application (app) that aims to enable 26-million young Africans to acquire on-demand, market-relevant skills.
The free mobile app, Trace Academia, which is available on Android and iOS and has already been successfully tested in four African countries, will feature course content and features developed by Trace and leading corporations and organisations.
“This free, easy-to-use app aims to train 26-million African youth by 2026 with the skills they need to find or create work and the opportunities to kick-start their careers,” says Trace cofounder and executive chairperson Olivier Laouchez.
The learning content comprises technical courses relevant to 15 industries: energy, beauty, fashion, do-it-yourself, digital marketing, hospitality, the creative arts, journalism, film and technology, as well as more broad courses, such as entrepreneurship, public speaking and personal wellness.
Each course featured on the app has been designed in collaboration with an industry-leading organisation to ensure its relevance to the job market.
“Our courses and certificates are created in partnership with influential players across the industry, governments and the nonprofit sector,” he says.
The contributing organisations include Google; L’Oréal Foundation; AFD; Unesco; Orange; Canal+; Sacem; Visa; Schneider Electric; Durex; Leroy Merlin; Bureau Veritas; Ford Foundation; Afreximbank; Accor-Kasada; the Minister of Finance of France; the African Union; the University of Johannesburg; Senghor University; Valued Citizens; TPG; Satya Capital; BDD Software; Bain & Co; and Havas, besides others.
“Two things are particularly exciting about Trace Academia. One is that the platform offers young people total flexibility and control over their learning. Users can learn at their own pace, in their own time, and customise their journey to the emergent demands they face as they navigate the world of work. Second, the courses are deeply practical and designed in collaboration with market-leading organisations to ensure they are industry relevant,” Laouchez says.