Trace, a free-to-use, interactive, mobile-based
learning application that aims to enable 26 million young Africans to acquire
on-demand, market-relevant skills has partnered with the Mastercard Foundation to
launch Trace Academia (TraceAcademia.com).
Trace Academia is available on Android and iOS
and has already been successfully tested in 4 African countries. Users can
access courses in one of two languages: English and French. Portuguese courses
will soon be launched.
The learning content will include technical
courses relevant to 15 different industries— including courses in energy,
beauty, fashion, DIY, digital marketing, hospitality, creative arts,
journalism, film, and technology—as well courses that are more broadly
relevant, such as entrepreneurship, public speaking, and personal wellness.
Each course featured on the application has been designed in collaboration with
an industry-leading organization to ensure its relevance to employers and the
job market.
“Our course and certificates are created in
partnership with influential players across the industry, governments, and non–profit
sector. 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. I strongly believe that their current circumstances should
never be a hindrance to their success,’ Olivier Laouchez, Co-Founder and
Executive Chairman of Trace.
“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 customize 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 organizations to ensure they are industry-relevant.
“The Mastercard Foundation is pleased to
support this platform as part of our Young Africa Works strategy to enable 30
million young people to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030,” said
Peter Materu, Chief Program Officer at the Mastercard Foundation.
The new platform represents an important
contribution to the youth employment agenda in Africa. As the youngest
continent in the world, with nearly 65 percent of its population under the age
of 25, Africa is home to the workforce of the future, and with the right skills
and opportunities, young people will be the continent’s greatest drivers of
transformation.
