Entrepreneurs in the technology space have been urged to develop soft skills in addition to their expertise to enable them gain recognition and stay competitive in the industry.
They have again been encouraged to tell their stories across digital platforms and build good portfolios to increase their chances of being spotted by recruiters.
These were excerpts of a panel discussion held as part of Codetrain Africa’s ‘Demo Day 22’ which came off last Saturday in Accra for trainees of Codetrain Africa, a Ghanaian tech company that has trained over 600 software developers in the past five years.
The graduating trainees showcased mobile and web applications that are solving real life issues in society.
They had embarked on a one-year intensive course at the institution and were awarded certificates at the ceremony organised in partnership with Start Up Lounge and Gist Ghana.
The session which included mentorship, networking and a job fair saw panelists and participants discuss subjects such as employability, the future of the technology industry and the skills needed for individuals to thrive at the workplace.
Part of the conversations focused on the need for tech enthusiasts to develop time management, negotiation and good communication skills as they continue to use their creativity and talent to solve problems.
Discussants further urged technology companies to maintain a progressive workplace culture, provide good benefits and engage their clients more in order to retain the best talents.
Mr Richard Brandt, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Codetrain Africa said the institution remained focused on its mission of “enabling people from diverse backgrounds to break into tech” and make a positive impact in their communities.
He said the institution had trained about 600 people since inception with 89 per cent of gratuates getting jobs within six months after graduation.
The company, he added, was looking forward to expanding and making the programme more accessible to people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
“When we started five years ago, the aim was to enable students acquire cutting edge technology skills to enable them compete with people in any part of the world and it has been an impressive journey so far. Many of our trainees have gone ahead to work with international companies while others have started their own companies.
“This year, we offered about $63,000 in scholarship to a lot of the students that are studying here and next year we would want to expand the scholarship programme,” he noted.
Other mobile and web applications demonstrated include: ‘Alodie’ an application that allows people to send money into mobile money accounts without using USSS codes; ‘FundFair’ which connects low income earners to donors to allow them pay off medical debt; ‘Sparky’- a platform that connects start-ups to investors; ‘Go Legal’- designed to connect clients to lawyers, and many others.
BY ERNEST NUTSUGAH
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