By Africa Links 24
Published on 2024-02-20 06:56:39
This article is sponsored by Multichoice.
Investing in the development of young people’s skills and abilities is crucial for the growth of industries and businesses. The skills of the workforce are essential for driving economies forward. Recognizing the value of young professionals and investing in their training is important for every industry, as they bring new ideas, innovations, and socially relevant concepts that can fuel the growth of various sectors.
In countries like Kenya and Ghana, there are initiatives such as the Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP) and the National Youth Authority, which aim to improve youth employability and create opportunities for young people. These programs provide training, internships, and apprenticeships to help young individuals enter the workforce.
Despite these efforts, private-sector investment in youth development is still critically important, especially in the face of the staggering statistic that 72 million young Africans are unemployed. There is a need for industry-specific interventions and upskilling programs to empower the youth and provide them with the necessary skills to enter the job market.
In the creative sector, MultiChoice has taken on the responsibility of developing the industry through its MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) academies across Africa. The MTF academies offer year-long training programs to students from 13 countries in disciplines such as cinematography, editing, audio production, and storytelling. The program also provides students with the opportunity to learn alongside industry professionals, contributing to the development of a new generation of talent in the film and TV industry.
The impact of MTF in Africa has already been profound, with over 300 alumni produced by the program. MTF is revolutionizing the industry by creating paths to professional careers in the film and TV sector, empowering African professionals to produce relevant content for African audiences, and contributing to the growth of the creative sector.
The MTF survey found that around 92% of MTF Academy graduates go on to work in the creative sector, highlighting the success of the program in providing young professionals with the skills and opportunities they need to establish careers in the industry. Many MTF students also have the opportunity to work on existing productions on MultiChoice channels, further enhancing their practical experience.
In addition to the MTF academies, the MTF Portal focuses on enhancing the capabilities of working industry professionals through specialized training, workshops, collaborations, and networking opportunities. This integration with the industry not only provides a pipeline of talented young professionals for the creative sector but also gives MTF graduates relevant experience.
Furthermore, MultiChoice Africa contributes significantly to the broader African economy through procurement and supplier development with emerging and youth-owned businesses. The company has invested heavily in preferential procurement spend, direct spend on medium and micro-enterprises, and suppliers with at least 30% women ownership, contributing to economic growth and empowerment across the continent.
The efforts of MultiChoice in empowering young people and developing the creative sector have far-reaching benefits, ultimately contributing to the production of quality content for MultiChoice audiences and benefiting local economies across Africa. With a reach of 23.5 million households and over 100 million people in 50 African countries, the development of well-trained, empowered young professionals through the MTF will be crucial to the success of the company and the industry as a whole in the future.
