How to Prepare for the Future of Work in Africa

The internet has fundamentally transformed the work economy in Africa in the last decades, and it is undeniably continuing to change other aspects. With digitization, AI, and other technological trends, there have come new job opportunities while phasing out some. Work in Africa is shifting at breakneck speed, and the only way to remain relevant is by preparing students (youths) for the future of work.

Unfortunately, many universities and institutions in Africa are still stuck with outdated syllabuses that can’t fit in the changing era. Yet, we must provide a solution to these unique needs arising. And that is why Freelancer Academy Uganda came to life. “We are addressing these changing needs.” As part of our emphasis, we have prepared a short note on how we’re preparing the Ugandan youths for the future of work in Africa.

What is the Future of Work in Africa?

The future of hybrid work involves a blend of remote and in-person work, offering flexibility and a more balanced approach to where and how to work. Work is shifting from job knowledge to skills (more so technological skills) and is no longer limited to workplaces. Here are some aspects that define the future of hybrid work:

• Flexibility: Hybrid work allows employees to choose where they work – at home, in the office, or a combination of both.
• Technological Integration: The future of work revolves around technology such project management software and other collaboration tools.
• Performance & Evaluation: Employee assessment focuses more on outcome-based measurements rather than the hours worked. 
• Adaptability and Evolution: The future of work seeks for youths who are adaptable, open to feedback, and willing to make adjustments to accommodate changing needs.
• Emphasis on Communication: Clear and effective communication has become even more crucial in a hybrid work environment.

Preparing Students for the Future of Work in Africa

The future of hybrid and remote work is undeniably bright. All we need to do is to prepare the youth in Africa for this unchartered venture. In doing so, we need to equip students with the skills and knowledge about the new careers brought about by the internet. Hence, this will help them to tap into more work opportunities around the world. Here is how we’re doing it:

1. Reinforcing the current education systems

Whereas we cannot redefine the entire education system in Uganda and the rest of Africa, we are reinforcing it with valuable digital courses. Hence, we offer free online and offline digital marketing courses and other IT training sessions to effectively nurture students into new technologies. Such courses include SEO (Search Engine Optimization) training, Social Media Marketing, WordPress Web Development, etc, which are all as a result of growth in the internet.

These courses sensitize and expose the students to more opportunities not only in Africa but across the globe. In addition, a student acquires a recognizable certificate that presents him as an expert in the field, opening more doors for his digital career.

2. Sensitizing the youth about the future of Work

Many youths need more knowledge about digital transformation and how they can benefit from it. They need to gain more insights about the job opportunities in the digital space. And that is one of the reasons why they are reluctant to explore more about several digital courses available on the internet. However, sensitizing the youth about these importunities will inspire and prepare them for the changing landscape.

So, in addition to the digital courses, holding workshops in schools, colleges, and community centres that cover emerging trends, technological advancements, and the skills required for the future job market will broaden their knowledge about these opportunities.

3. The Gig economy and freelancing

Introducing students to the gig economy and freelancing is another excellent way to prepare them for the changing world of work. We are currently on the move to offer seminars, workshops, and classes that specifically address the gig economy, freelancing, and the concept of working independently. Additionally, we sensitize the youths through our blog section about the available freelancing courses on the market.

We aim to incorporate this topic into career counselling sessions to help students understand the various forms of work available beyond traditional full-time employment. In so doing, we want to equip them with the skills highly sought after in gig-based work, such as digital marketing, graphic design, coding, writing, E-commerce, social media management, or other soft skills such as time management, negotiation, and self-discipline.

4. Introducing the art of Remote Work and Technologies

Remote work is another crucial aspect the internet has brought to life. That means people can work from virtually anywhere. For instance, one of our team members in Uganda recently worked remotely with a foreign company in Australia as an SEO Specialist. This aspect not only expands the talent pool for companies but also allows our students to work with reputable companies across the globe.

Introducing students to remote work and the technologies associated with it can be highly beneficial in preparing them for the modern workforce. Our training involves educating the youths about remote communication etiquette and guiding them on how to create online portfolios or professional profiles that showcase their skills and experiences.

5. Addressing Ethical Challenges in Tech

Many youths in Africa get scammed about “working online”, which has developed bias about the digital Workspace. This is a result of illegitimate websites and individuals on the internet. In addition, thousands of students lack the ethical knowledge to use digital platforms like social media tools. That has resulted in unintended harassment of others.

Fortunately, we have developed a course about the safe usage of digital platforms, more so for youths who want to become brand ambassadors and social media influencers. In addition, we have a cybersecurity topic in all our free online courses to introduce learners to online security threats. This intends to create harmony in the digital space by improving how youths use the available digital tools.