Latest news with #digitaltraining
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Training Ethiopia's next wave of freelancers to earn, grow and go global
A digital training initiative is helping young Ethiopians turn freelancing into a viable career, opening up new opportunities for income, independence and access to global work. Ethiopia is emerging as a strong contender in the global freelance economy. With more than 200,000 science graduates each year, expanding internet access, and some of the most competitive labour costs in Africa, the country has the conditions to scale remote work. Supported by digital payment reforms and a national taskforce focused on freelancing, the country is working to turn its digital talent into a driver of economic growth. Until recently, however, few young people had access to structured support or training to help them enter the freelance market. That's starting to change. A recent Digital Freelancing Training Programme trained 353 participants – 186 women and 167 men – in how to build sustainable careers as freelancers and access the global gig economy. The training covered everything from financial planning and personal branding to project management and securing online clients. The training was supported by the Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF V) Ethiopia Tech project at the International Trade Centre (ITC). From employment to independence Nardos Seifu, a design and research strategist based in Addis Ababa, joined the programme after seeing a post on social media. Her work focuses on human-centred design, innovation, and facilitating learning experiences. She had long been interested in consulting but didn't know how to position herself as a freelancer. 'I had the skills, but I didn't know how to offer them as a service,' she said. 'The training explained how freelancing works, including how to price your time, promote yourself, and manage your work professionally.' Since completing the course, she has formalized a tutoring side job and is applying for remote design consulting roles. She credits the financial planning sessions for helping her organise her income and time and is using platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook to grow her visibility. 'I've always wanted to open a design studio that trains young people in design thinking. Now I feel like that's possible.' Adapting to local realities The training was delivered online through weekly webinars, practical guides and interactive sessions. Internet access was a challenge for some participants, particularly outside Addis Ababa, so the team used multiple channels, including Telegram, SMS and email, to keep learners engaged. A key resource was the Become a Freelancer Checklist, a step-by-step guide to setting goals, building online profiles, and managing client work. Enquanhone also authored a companion eBook, Become an Online Freelancer, which covers everything from branding and pricing to productivity and digital tools. Turning lessons into action Participants were encouraged to apply what they learnt immediately. For Seifu, that meant tracking tutoring hours, setting a consistent hourly rate, and using scheduling tools to stay on top of her workload. 'We were taught to treat freelancing like a business,' she said. 'That means knowing your value, being organised, and communicating clearly.' The programme also introduced tools for building an online presence. Nardos, previously hesitant about platforms like TikTok, is now using it to share insights and reach new audiences. 'There are a lot of tools out there. The programme helped me figure out which ones matter and how to use them.' Following the training, many participants began applying their new skills immediately. A total of 148 entrepreneurs – including 63 women and 137 young people – have enhanced their ability to work as freelancers as a result of gaining practical tools to manage clients, projects and income streams. Of those trained, 87 participants (35 women and 81 youth) secured new jobs, demonstrating the programme's early success in improving employability and access to income-generating opportunities. Growing a freelance community Participants came from diverse sectors – including marketing, development, and tech – and peer learning was a core part of the experience. 'We were learning from each other,' said Seifu. 'We talked about our goals and shared what was working.' Still, Ethiopia's freelance ecosystem is young. Seifu noted the lack of local networks or co-working spaces for freelancers. A Telegram group created through the programme helps alumni stay in touch and share opportunities, but participants see the need for more structured, long-term support. A model for future growth The early results are promising. Graduates are putting their new skills into practice and exploring new income streams. But to sustain progress, Ethiopia will need to invest in ongoing mentorship, stronger digital infrastructure and formal recognition of the freelance sector. 'This training was a starting point,' said Enquanhone. 'Now we need to expand access, build networks and make freelancing a respected path to employment.' With the right support, Ethiopia's freelancers could help shape the country's digital economy and become a model for others across the continent. A model for future growth The early results are promising. Graduates are putting their new skills into practice and exploring new income streams. But to sustain progress, Ethiopia will need to invest in ongoing mentorship, stronger digital infrastructure and formal recognition of the freelance sector. 'This training was a starting point,' said Enquanhone. 'Now we need to expand access, build networks and make freelancing a respected path to employment.' With the right support, Ethiopia's freelancers could help shape the country's digital economy and become a model for others across the continent. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
The Drill SaaS Tech teaches crisis via interactive publishing
That's the verdict of Gerry McCusker, a 30+ year PR veteran who has built the first Arabic-language crisis training tool for the future called The Drill. Crisis management training has finally met the digital and interactive age, via a software solution that spells the end for tabletop and flip-board crisis rehearsals. The Drill's live, online technology dramatises the way organisations prepare for crises with an interactive methodology that delivers training outcomes via realistic and time-sensitive publishing. And clients don't need any special facilities, software or venues to access this innovative tool. Creator of The Drill crisis simulation portal, Gerry McCusker, has tested and proven that his new digital technology can immerse clients into a wholly realistic PR disaster, safely within a secure online portal, enhancing crisis planning and preparedness. Clients login, and for the next 4-8 hours all their communications - email, online, phones and content creation - are contained and escalated within the fully realistic, media-rich environment. The Drill simulates multi-channel pressures - from crisis logs to emails plus online news media, radio and TV reports and social media. 'Digital technologies have revolutionised how interests attack brands and businesses online. Our portal revolutionises how companies train staff to handle such threats.' says McCusker. As a crisis learning portal, The Drill's interactive environment helps clients probe the right questions and formulate strategic - and online-savvy - crisis responses. It's unique in that it guides clients through an issues management methodology, while allowing them to experience real-life crisis challenges, curve-balls and 'tests'. The product had its pre-launch at The International Emergency Management Society conference in San Diego in September 2016, and since then has been deployed by clients and peak bodies from Sydney to Singapore and Sharjah. Clients include organisations spanning the agriculture, construction, education, finance, food, healthcare, infrastructure and Oil & Gas sectors. 'We believe The Drill offers clients the worst day of their professional life. And after they've done our drill, they'll be well-prepared for when it all gets real,' McCusker concludes. About The Drill: The Drill is the premier, boutique online crisis simulation technology, developed by seasoned crisis communications experts to provide bespoke, real-time training experiences for organisations across various sectors. Launched in 2016 at The International Emergency Management Society (TIEMS) Annual Conference in San Diego, The Drill has since been adopted by numerous corporations and government agencies. Offering a realistic replication of the pressures experienced during actual crises, The Drill crisis simulator enables participants to engage in interactive publishing and strategic decision-making within a controlled, online environment. The platform delivers tailored crisis scenarios ranging from cyber attacks to product recalls, accommodating training sessions for small executive teams to large, remotely located groups. Its flexibility allows for scaling up to conference-sized cohorts, with the largest session to date involving around 220 participants. The Drill remains committed to enhancing organisational resilience through innovative, interactive crisis management training, ensuring clients are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of modern crises. For more, please visit
CBC
21-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
N.L. launching training tool for restaurant staff ahead of summer tourism season
Newfoundland and Labrador will soon launch a digital training tool to help coach front-line staff in the food and hospitality industries ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer season. Minister of Jobs, Immigration and Growth Gerry Byrne announced Wednesday the province has spent around $208,000 to build and produce training modules for staff in restaurant and hospitality settings. "Hospitality and the service culture is in our DNA. It's one of the reasons why Newfoundland and Labrador is a destination of choice," said Byrne. "We can always move this to the next step, and this is what this program is all about … that can be in, you know, the amazing establishments here in St. John's, or it could be at a food truck in Rocky Harbour." The training will be available to operators beginning June 10. Jeremy Bonia, a veteran of the food scene in downtown St. John's who helped develop the program, says training can come at great cost for establishments. He says restaurateurs and the province wanted to create the tool to help increase service standards, and the tool can work in the hands of everyone from those at five-star restaurants to take-out counters. "Government provided us a solution here and offered up the ability for us to create a program for those that can't afford to do it themselves. And obviously, you're going to take advantage of that," Bonia said. "If anything, it's going to save businesses time and money in terms of training staff. And hopefully this is something that perpetuates in the years to come." WATCH | Operators can avail of the training starting June 10: A new training tool for restaurant, hospitality staff is coming to N.L. 3 hours ago Duration 1:58 Newfoundland and Labrador is launching a digital training tool to help coach front-line staff in the food and hospitality industries. It's an effort to get ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer season. The CBC's Abby Cole reports. Derek Locke, owner and director of Cojones and Grotto, says the standardized teaching will help both business owners and staff. He believes it will make the training process more effective and cost-saving for owners, while staff can begin practical work in restaurants sooner. "Being able to do the training in a TikTok format — with videos and tests and important steps of service — is huge for us. It saves us thousands and thousands of dollars," he said. Locke says staff could ideally go through the training together on-site, but the mobile aspect could allow for staff to go through training on their own time. He didn't directly answer if staff would be paid for the time they spend on the training tool. Bonia says the tool also comes ahead of what could be an especially busy summer season, given the arrival of cruise ships, icebergs and the thousands of people that will descend on the St. John's region for the Canada Summer Games in August. "Everything is kind of pointing toward it being an extremely high volume of tourists travelling this summer, so that's what we're really excited about. And hopefully it works out."
CBC
21-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
A new training tool for restaurant, hospitality staff is coming to N.L.
Newfoundland and Labrador is launching a digital training tool to help coach front-line staff in the food and hospitality industries. It's an effort to get ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer season. The CBC's Abby Cole reports.
