Darey.io Opens Tech Hub to Help Young People Upskill | 3MTT Initiative

Darey.io, a leading platform that trains and empowers thousands of tech talents across Africa, is opening a tech hub in Yaba, Lagos – Nigeria, Techeconomy can report.

The new hub, Techeconomy reports, is designed to drive digital transformation, foster collaboration, and provide startups, businesses, and individuals with AI-driven solutions and workforce development programs.

Darey.io which has been operating remotely since 2021, is also partnering with the Federal Government of Nigeria under the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy.

During a pre-launch press conference on Wednesday, Dare Olufunmilayo, the founder and CEO of Darey.io and Xterns.ai, stated that the move aims to accelerate the company’s mission of bridging the digital skills gap and providing access to technology careers for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

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He said the company was founded to address the increasing demand for digital skills, upskilling, and reskilling in the face of rapid technological advancements, especially the rise of AI.

Olufunmilayo highlighted the growing number of individuals from various sectors, including management and healthcare, seeking to transition into IT careers.

He emphasized that Darey.io empowers individuals to achieve their tech ambitions regardless of their educational background, opening doors to remote work opportunities and international employment.

The founder/CEO, explained that a key challenge Darey.io addresses is the gap between acquired skills and the practical experience required by employers.

The platform’s framework, encompassing Darey.io and Xterns, enables individuals to acquire skills, gain experience, and build a compelling digital portfolio.

According to him, Darey.io focuses on skill development, while Xterns provides a platform for practical experience through collaborative projects and industry best practices.

Speaking on Darey.io’s partnership with the government to support the Renewed Hope Agenda, Olufunmilayo reiterated the importance of the partnership in equipping millions of Nigerians with globally relevant technical skills.

He highlighted the significant skills gap in Africa and the potential for Nigerian talent to contribute to the global tech industry.

The company is leveraging its technology to drive the 3MTT initiative, ensuring accessible and free training.

Olufunmilayo stressed the importance of government support in making digital skills training accessible to a wider audience.

He detailed that the platform has expanded its course offerings from its initial focus on DevOps and cloud computing to include data science, cybersecurity, product management, and AI for various industries.

Darey.io’s Xterns platform addresses the need for practical experience, allowing individuals to build a digital portfolio and demonstrate their skills to potential employers. This platform enables users to track their skills to a granular level, showcasing their proficiency and project experience.

Olufunmilayo extended an invitation to individuals from all training backgrounds to join the Xterns platform and gain valuable industry experience.

Olufunmilayo encouraged Nigerians, particularly those not enrolled in the 3MTT initiative, to visit their Yaba office and utilize the training facilities and digital resources.

He emphasized that Darey.io’s platform is accessible to individuals with varying levels of digital literacy. However, access to the Xterns platform requires successful completion of training and passing an assessment.

One of the significant challenges faced by Darey.io is the lack of infrastructure, including laptops and internet access, for many learners.

Olufunmilayo called on private sector organizations, foundations, and charities to support the company’s mission by providing resources to those in needs.

He noted that the platform serves a global audience, with students from various countries, and highlighted the government’s commitment to providing free training through the 3MTT program.

On her part, Priscilla Otukoya, Darey.io’s head of Growth and Marketing Operations, detailed the rigorous framework in place to ensure the quality of training and the seriousness of participants.

A career score algorithm tracks user engagement, project submissions, and feedback ensuring that only qualified individuals are recommended to employers.

She also emphasized the importance of the 3MTT program, and the quality of the instructors.

Otukoya reiterated that the platform’s digital framework allows for strict controls and assessments. “Those who do not meet the required career score are not recommended to employers, ensuring that only serious and qualified candidates are presented”, she said, adding that access will be removed for people who are not properly engaged with the platform, despite it being free.