UN AND COMPUTER MAKER HP PARTNER TO BOOST IT SKILLS OF AFRICA'S YOUNG PEOPLE

UN AND COMPUTER MAKER HP PARTNER TO BOOST IT SKILLS OF AFRICA'S YOUNG PEOPLE New York, May 8 2008 3:00PM The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (<"http://www.unido.org/">UNIDO) and Hewlett-Packard (HP) have joined forces to help young unemployed people across Africa build their entrepreneurial and information technology (IT) skills, it was announced today.

The Graduate Entrepreneurship Training Through IT (GET-IT) initiative will initially be launched in six nations – Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda – and eventually be expanded further to span the African continent.

The scheme seeks to train youth and graduates, who are between the ages of 16 and 25 and do not have jobs, acquire IT skills and run their own businesses.

GET-IT courses will focus on teaching practical solutions for businesses in finance, management, marketing and technology management.

"By providing IT technology, curricula and training for entrepreneurs, we aim to foster jobs and opportunities in Africa," said Kandeh K. Yumkella, UNIDO Director-General.

HP started the programme last year in 18 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and its new partnership with the UN will allow it to extend its reach in Africa.

"It is essential that UNIDO assists developing countries in Africa in educating their young generation in information technology and creating achievable prospects," Mr. Yumkella noted.
2008-05-08 00:00:00.000

________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/