The official launch of the IT Bridge Academy took place on Wednesday 30th June 2021, at NITA Headquarters. The Chief Guest during the event was the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection Hon. Simon Chelugui who was accompanied by senior Ministry officials including the Chief Administrative Secretary Hon. Musyoka Kalla and the Principal Secretary Eng. Peter Tum and a representative of the Principal Secretary, State Department of Social Protection Mr. Nelson Marwa. The NITA Team at the event were led by the National Industrial Training Board Chair Dr. Kamau Gachigi, NITA Board Directors, and the Director General Mr. Stephen Ogenga. Other organizations and dignitaries who attended the launch were drawn from Safaricom, United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK), National Council of Persons with Disabilities, E4D Programme, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Kenya.
“It is anticipated that the development of digital skills and values will lead to quality and responsive education, promoting decent work and economic growth, and building industry, innovation, and infrastructure. These skills will allow the youth and People Living with Disabilities to have access and opportunities to bid for the tens of millions of jobs around the world”, remarked the Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Simon Chelugui during the event.
In his comments the Chairman of the National Industrial Training Board Dr. Kamau Gachigi highlighted that NITA will support employment creation for Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDS) through the launch of the Cisco Bridge IT academy. He also emphasized that the program will be scaled up to include more PWDs and sustained to run smoothly after the Inclusive Futures’ beneficiaries 1st cohorts’ graduation.
“The Cisco Networking Academy Curriculum has been used by 11,000 academies worldwide over the past two decades. Currently, two million students around the globe are pursuing Cisco Networking Certification” remarked NITA Director General, Stephen Ogenga during the event.
