African-German IT company, Amalitech, is training young Africans to become IT experts whilst addressing shortages in the German labor market. Amalitech’s new plan hopes to reduce the shortage of skilled workers in Germany and give Africans a perspective in their home countries, Deutsche Welle (DW) writes. 

Cologne-based Amalitech is providing ‘‘employment pathways in the tech sector to young graduates in Sub-Saharan Africa, connecting them to the global demand for tech talent. [Their] approach combines training with employment and continuous learning because evidence show that only this integrated approach actually works. By focusing on skilled ICT services, [they] contribute to ecosystem development and to the emergence of the future-proof industry with growth engine potential’’. 

The tech company brings skilled workers from its two locations in Ghana and Rwanda with local and international customers. As a result, the next generation of technology experts is being built up in Africa, and in the future, it will offer Germany a way out of the shortage of skilled workers in the IT sector. 

The business model revolves around a three-fold system of a 3 to 9 month Training Academy, followed by roles in Global IT and followed up by Social Impact Projects. Students at the Innovation Lab at the University of Johannesburg learn how to develop software, algorithms, or video games with the training academy. 

Augustine Normanyo was unemployed for months after completing his IT studies in Ghana’s Capital Accra. “After my studies I looked for a job in the tech industry,” Normanyo told DW. But due to his lack of practical experience, he had no success.

Until a friend introduced him to the company AmaliTech. Now, a year later, Normanyo is almost finished with his advanced training as a software engineer. “At the moment, my goal is to work in the service center and further develop my skills.”

AmaliTech offers graduates paid jobs that provide them with income. As a result, some of them can get a position in the German market without leaving Ghana.

A brilliant model for the IT sector

Bilal Abubakari, who was recruited by Amalitech’s talent scouts while still an engineering information technology student on campus, believes that an opportunity at the company can prepare one for any technology field worldwide. Abubakari immediately joined the IT company after graduation and has expressed enthusiasm for their professionalism and insight into the industry sector.

Kiel Institute’s Eckhardt Bode views Amalitech’s model as a precedent for the IT sector, noting that the African continent presents significant potential for reducing the local labor shortage. Amalitech outsources work that cannot be done in Germany due to a lack of labor or immigration of skilled workers from Africa. 

Economist Eckhardt Bode has called for a change in how Germans perceive immigrants, by asking “Are we Germans really willing to accept immigration?”. He warned that the shortage of skilled workers could become a barrier to growth and prosperity in the future and Germany should take more decisive measures than it has done in the past. 

Digital industry association, Bitkom, has reported a shortage of 137,000 IT experts across all sectors in Germany, with the tech sector being particularly affected. Many IT projects in German public administrations are also not functioning well. The shortage of skilled labor offers a win-win situation for both Africa and Germany. 

Now, the IT market offers a possibility for young Africans to be trained and work digitally from anywhere in the world while strengthening the skilled labor base globally. 

However, certain prejudices and compatibility issues often stand in the way. There are promising approaches in North Africa, and many talented young people in South and East Africa work as software developers and programmers for German and European customers. 

Code of Africa, a Hamburg-based company, aims to build flexible and well-trained young teams in East Africa and prevent emigration by enabling young people to build a sustainable life for themselves in the region.

Pioneering: AmaliTech’s recipe for success

Salami Suleiman, a trainer at Amalitech, is convinced that his trainees are able to succeed. “We know that the employees with whom we started the service centre and who now work for us are developing and taking on leadership positions,” Suleiman said.

AmaliTech offers structure and goes on a “learning journey” with beginners. Suleiman noted that so-called “soft skills” also play an essential role as communication, adaptability, flexibility and the ability to work in a team are vital. 

“In some ways, these skills have become almost more important than technical skills”, states Suleiman. 

IT specialists Bilal Abubakari and Augustine Normanyo plan to stay in Ghana for the time being. However, Abubakari hopes to work on a client project in the future. He states: “If I stay at Amalitech, I can follow this path, and in ten years I could then look at other markets, for example in Europe.”

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Source: Amp.dw.com/en/, https://amalitech.org.