Oracle Partners UN Refugees Agency, UNHCR To Train Refugees In Kenya

Oracle has partnered the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, in Kenya to train young refugees in Kenya on workforce development skills.

The programme will upskill the refugees through professional courses on Oracle Cloud technologies by Oracle University.

UNHCR said it “delivers professional learning courses on Oracle Cloud technologies to refugees with a core background in information technology.”

Country Leader, Oracle Kenya, David Bunei said, the programme will directly empower the youth in refugee camps to sustain their livelihood.”

He said the training program will help “prepare young learners kickstart a rewarding career in the IT industry.”

Need for the programme:

The lack of industry-led skills and  global professional certification has placed refugees in Kenya at a disadvantaged position.

Meanwhile, Kenya is the second-largest hosting country of refugees and asylum seekers in Africa behind Ethiopia.

According to UNHCR , Kenya’s population of refugees and asylum seekers is at 519,989 in Kakuma.

ALSO READ: How To Register For Google And Maliyo Mobile Games Developers Trainings

Also, the number also cuts across those in Dadaab and urban areas as of 31 May 2021.

UNHCR Kenya’s Meshack Mwololo said “IT skills training is repeatedly mentioned as a priority by refugees for a better future.”

Meshack Mwololo is UNHCR Kenya’s Assistant Livelihood Officer.

“UNHCR is committed to exploring innovative ways to ensure that refugees can improve their well-being and dignity.”

Similarly, he added that the refugees will achieve this “through industry associations such as the programmes with Oracle.”

“This will help refugees acquire industry-led skills training and global certifications which ultimately enhance prospect of self or wage employment.”

“Such new opportunities for refugees and host communities are aligned with the Global Compact on Refugees.”

Also he said the alignment also “highlights the significance of enhancing refugee self-reliance.”

What you need to know:

Programming skills continue to be in high demand as digital transformation gathers pace across Africa.

“Learning to code requires critical thinking and analytical skills that helps train young learners to think creatively, become problem solvers and apply innovative approaches to problems they encounter.”

Numbers and benefits:

Under this program, 13 young learners have received training on Java SE8 fundamentals and Java SE8 programming.

Additionally, the 13 young trainees are in Kakuma and Nairobi refugee camps.

Also, the participants have successfully completed the qualifying course exams and earned their professional certification.

Similarly, Oracle’s work force development partner and member of Oracle Partner Network, Zinger Solutions Limited gave the trainings.

Implication of the programme to refugees in Kenya:

The refugees will gain the following benefits from the programme:

1. IT in Oracle’s Cloud technology.
2. They will also earn a course complete certification from Oracle University.
3. The certificate will help them join Africa’s fast growing ICT industry.