Digital Jobs in Africa
Digital jobs can be initiated quickly to solve the unemployment problem and to contribute to economic growth. The key factor is having the right training to take advantage of the opportunities provide by Information technology (IT). Digital jobs can provide employment to many people by bringing the jobs to them; even they may live in rural areas or remote villages, as long as they have connection to the Internet. Even people who have limited education can still be trained with just a few months of trainings in basic testing or mobile programming. By gaining work experience in these entry-levels, they can progress and eventually qualify for better jobs with higher pay. Digital jobs can provide good opportunities to people with disabilities and women who may have to stay home to take care of children. Of course, to work in digital jobs, they need to have skills and competencies for effective functioning in the workplace.
One of my students told me: “Most people can be trained in a matter of few months to do digital jobs. In the beginning, they are taught basic computer skills where they learn how to use personal computer (PC). They must learn to open, search, retrieve information, download, modify certain files and document and save them. (2 weeks); they learn to write simple instructions using Visual Basic or Java (4 weeks) and test software (2 weeks). Then they spend another 4 weeks in “Testing practicum”, where they must test 100 application samples to identify and fix defects. If pass, they can begin to work in the industry as tester level 1. So in just three months of training, they can work in digital jobs. As they gain experience as testers, and depending on their performance on the job, they will get promoted to tester level 2 and level 3. Each level would give them an increase in salary.
As testers level 3, they can go to another additional 3 months training to be a programmer level 1. (Note: They must write ten programs in Visual Basic or Java). As they gain experience as programmer level 1, depending on their performance on the job, they will get promoted to programmer level 2 and level 3. Each level would give them an increase in salary. When they get to programmer level 2, they could also take another additional training in mobile programming where they spend 2 weeks to learn about Androids or IOS, and another 3 weeks to learn Object C or Java (Note: They must write ten mobile applications for iPhone or Android). If pass the course, they can work as mobile programmer. As they gain more experiences they can take additional trainings in graphic design (3 months) or Database (4 months) and specialize as entry level Graphic designer supports, Image tagging Processor, Database processors, Database Operator. (Note: These are still considered basic skills for entry-level positions and should NOT be confused with other IT entry-level positions that require a college degree or better education.)
Over the past two decades, many large companies have taken advantage of global connectivity to outsource information technology (IT) works to low-cost labor countries. Since then, digital works has become a new source of job creation in the interconnected world economy and has contributed to the economic growth of several countries. Currently the IT outsourcing industry is dominated by India with several million IT jobs created valued at $110 Billion dollars in 2012. The number two is the Philippines with Call Centers to answer customers' requests with over a million workers and valued at $25 -30 Billion dollars in 2012. China is ranked third with about $18 Billion dollars in 2012.
Of course, the benefits of digital jobs have been good for these countries, but there is a difference between outsource to India, China and to African countries. Most IT workers in India and China have college educations and work in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Bangalore, Mumbai etc... In contrast, most Africa's IT outsourcing workers come from the disadvantages; many do not even complete high school and live in rural agriculture areas. Since these farmers will NOT leave their lands or their family behind for better jobs somewhere, they would benefit most by having the jobs come to them. And that is the result of government investment in special IT trainings in these rural areas. Without these trainings and supports, they would never be able to overcome poverty due to limited employment opportunities in rural areas.
Since the “Outsourcing to rural Africa” or “Impact sourcing” was known to western countries in 2010, many large companies began to look to Africa as the next destination for their IT outsourcing. Some do that for their social concerns, but from the business perspective, it also makes sense. One top executive said: “It does NOT matter where to outsource, there are only two key factors: Skills and Costs, and Africa has both.” Compare to the cost of doing business in India and China, African countries like Ghana, Kenya offer better deals with approximately 30% to 40% less. In business, this is a significant advantage that can change many executive's decisions. According to a new report, the growth potential of outsourcing in Africa is expected double or triple in the next few years. Today Africa only captures less than 4 percent of the global IT outsourcing market but it is expected to grow to 10 percent by 2015 totaling $65 Billion dollars. As it grows, it will create more jobs, more employment opportunities that benefit people in rural areas and helps solve the high number of unemployment of these countries.
For Digital workers, having better incomes can change their lives with improving health, better education for themselves and their children. By being educated, they can make better decision for their future. By having good jobs, they can gain more confidence and are able to cope with other social changes. Digital jobs can benefit families and agricultural communities in many ways. With knowledge of information technology, farmers can access the Internet to get better information to make decision for their crops. By planting the right crops with better market values, they can improve their rural economy. By having extra incomes, families can make investments in better equipments, better methods, better seeds, and have the ability to contribute to the overall economy.
Sources
- Blogs of Prof. John Vu, Carnegie Mellon University
