In this age of Digital Transformation—popularly called the Fourth Industrial Revolution—we are seeing the emergence of a new world shaped by automation, cyber physical systems, the Internet of Things, the Cloud and of course cognitive computing. Industry 4.0 as this phenomenon is being referred to, will transform industrial production in the future. It will make it possible to automate, gather, analyze and exchange data across machines, enabling faster, flexible, and more efficient decisions making processes through the use of new tech.
Industry 4.0 is in fact the new reality and organizations across the globe are embracing this trend to stay in the race and move ahead.
Global talent and skills development corporation NIIT, has been quick to perceive the arrival of this new phase in the history of human evolution, and recognized early the criticality of preparing people power for Industry 4.0.
Today, with Industry 4.0 taking the wheel, NIIT has begun steering nations towards this fresh direction. It is therefore enabling a host of countries in their mammoth task of skills building—to prepare them to become smarter through the use and active leverage of Digital technologies. A key element of this task is equipping the youth globally with skills that make them more relevant and employable in the Industry 4.0 environment.
With this as its goal, NIIT is providing cutting-edge training programs in technologies that are redefining the economic landscape and spawning a new generation of careers.
Nigeria, one of the African continent's massive and most vibrant markets, has always remained on NIIT's radar, especially since it began its globalization drive.
NIIT's foray into Nigeria in 1999 came with the commitment of transforming the country's youth into a state-of-the-art workforce. Since then, the education leader has been preparing Nigerian youngsters for lucrative IT careers and has launched several initiatives in the country. Currently operating in Nigeria with 20 education centers in various cities, NIIT is reaching its new age learning to a growing expanse of job aspirants and helping connect hirers to highly employable graduates and professionals.
Over the last two decades in fact, NIIT Nigeria has launched an innovative and unique scholarship initiative aimed at drawing Nigeria's young into the IT fold. The national scholarship, which rewards and encourages meritorious students and has captured the imagination of learners, has reached out to over a million students in the past 20 years. The program, which offers scholarship assistance across various segments including School Leavers, Under Graduates, Graduates (Unemployed, Under-Employed), individuals desirous of enhancing their technical skill-sets and students in general who are keen to know about IT and careers in the segment, has played a transformational role in Nigeria's economy.
Having built its credentials and student base in Nigeria, and with its vast experience of operating in the country, NIIT has established itself as the undisputed leader in its IT training and education segment. NIIT's latest IT programs that are mapped to industry requirements and international vendor certifications have found many takers. And it's not individuals alone. NIIT's customized training solutions for Nigeria's corporates as well as University and school students are also successfully meeting their IT learning needs.
Having come so far in its journey in Nigeria, NIIT has recently taken the next step, introducing Industry 4.0 training into the country.
What this has meant is a plethora of exciting programs in its portfolio, courses that touch every aspect of Industry 4.0 requirements. These include the latest in-demand offerings in Data Analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), Machine Learning (ML), with R & Python, Block Chain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Power Business Intelligence (BI), Digital Marketing, and diginxt MMS-Full Stack Developers. Students can choose from this huge range, scaling their employability quotient and improving their relevance for the Digital age.
This is a proactive approach given the fact that nearly 75 million jobs are expected to be displaced globally due to the shift in the division of labor between humans and machines.
According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 133 million modern job roles may emerge that are more adaptable to the division of labor between humans, machines and algorithms. Additionally, jobs in Digital technology are projected to increase from 17 percent in 2018 to 33 percent in 2022! Clearly, the youth of Nigeria can benefit from NIIT programs that help them bridge ever widening skills gaps and prepare them for futuristic Industry 4.0 job profiles.
Not only this, learners, including meritorious students from underprivileged backgrounds, can participate in and contribute to Nigeria's growth and ensure its global competitiveness in the years ahead.
Pankaj Sharma, Head Product and Delivery for International Education business, NIIT Ltd.