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Groundbreaker Talents

Groundbreaker Talents is a full-time scholarship program in Software Engineering tailored to provide Ugandan students from underprivileged communities with the opportunity to exploit their full potential and access a brighter future in the digital era.

Uganda’s youth holds great potential for fostering the next generation of IT developers. Our scholarship program serves as a talent pipeline, guiding students from disadvantaged backgrounds to critical entry points into the industry. Giving access to valuable skills empowers a brighter future.

Give the gift of opportunity!

Our Aim

We seek to bridge the skills gap between the sought-after skilled labor force and youth full of potential. We aim to achieve this by giving young talents access to high-quality training in the field of IT to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the dynamic digital age. Thereby we provide them the opportunity to improve their life quality by enabling access to a dignifying living wage and sustainable employment.

The scholarship program

How we create win-win situations

Implement a progressive form of corporate giving and engage your employees in our mentorship program. Let’s work together to give Ugandan students an opportunity for a better life quality through knowledge and skills development. Together we can create multiple win-win situations for everyone involved!

Download Talents Concept Paper

Be a part from the start: We plan to start with the first batch of talents this summer. If you would like to support the pilot phase, you can join our fundraising campaign here.

Support the Pilot Phase
GB-talents-mentee

Become a mentor

Our mentorship program provides several benefits, and you can be part of it – have a lasting impact and be part from the start! 

As a mentor for Groundbreaker Talents, you have the amazing opportunity to share your expertise, knowledge and network with young female talents from Uganda. While the training itself is held by our local partner Refactory, you can give additional support to young women who are seeking their way into the national and international IT job market.  

What are the requirements?

🚀  Knowledge of programming languages and experience in the tech sphere
🚀  Expertise in both technical and soft skills
🚀  Fun and joy in working with the young talent
🚀  Motivation and willingness to dedicate for one year

Fill out the form if you want to be part of the mentorship program 👇

Register here

Impressions of pilot phase

Frequently Asked Questions

Groundbreaker Talents Program

What is Groundbreaker Talents?

Groundbreaker Talents is a full-time IT scholarship program tailored to provide students from underprivileged communities with the opportunity to exploit their full potential and access a brighter future in the digital era.

What is the main objective of the project?

The evidence shows the impact that holistic training programs (technical training along with the development of ‘soft skills’ and job placement support) have on employment security, professional development, and wage earnings in people from developing countries. Tackling youth unemployment from the supply side is a promising strategy to improve the welfare of young people from underprivileged communities.

Why IT training in Uganda?

Uganda is still one of the poorest countries in the world. With the combination of their large youth population and the fertility rate, the country is expecting a major demographic growth of the working-age population in the following years. However, the mismatch between the educational curriculum and the labor market demand threatens the well-being and financial security of millions of young people.

Worldwide, the economy is adapting to technological advances and large automation processes, shifting the labor market scenario toward a more skills-specialized workforce. This change increases the risks of unemployment, particularly in low- and middle-skilled jobs. But, it also possesses a high potential to access high-pay and secure employment.

By matching skills supply and demand, we can offer the opportunity to younger generations to get the necessary means to succeed in the digital era.

What are the young talents being trained in?

Depending on their individual talents, the program focuses on the development of Software Engineering skills, including languages like JavaScript and Python, but also Data Science, web and app application design with UI/UX, Product Management, and Blockchain technology.

What does the scholarship include?

We do not only ensure access to high-quality training in IT but full provision to an adequate learning environment to ensure the successful completion of the one-year course and support the transition into employment.

What is the selection criteria?

We aim to target highly motivated young women from underserved backgrounds who are enthusiastic about technology. We will especially target those that come from rural communities.

What are the costs?

One full scholarship will cost 6,800€. The price is based on the current conditions in Uganda.

How does the mentorship program work?

Each company that provides multiple scholarships is supported in establishing a mentoring program with its motivated employees. They act as technical mentors for these young women and contribute their expertise.