IndustryMeetsTalent Initiative
IndustryMeetsTalent is an initiative run by Next Arabia in partnership with Mastercard Foundation. This initiative aims to solve some of the major industry pain points by leveraging talents and solutions at universities and TVETs.
Uniqueness
of this Initiative
- This initiative is industry-driven, focusing on solving real industry needs (demand side).
- Based on the specific industry needs, suitable solutions and/or skill sets at universities and TVETs will be identified to address those needs (supply side).
- Selected teams will join an action-oriented training, coaching and industry engagement program to enhance their capacity to address the identified industry needs.
- IndustryMeetsTalent will conclude with a Deal Day where the industry will have the opportunity to onboard the selected teams as suppliers of solutions to their pain points and/or as employees.
Solving Real Industry Needs By Unlocking Youth Employability and Job Creation for a Dignified Future in Kenya.
Eligibility Criteria
- This is a pilot project. It is only open to students, faculty and staff from all disciplines in any public or private university or TVET institution in the Nairobi Metropolitan area.
- Participants are encouraged to participate in a team of up to 5. For some selected pain points, an individual may apply.
- Selected participants must be able to attend the in-person training and coaching sessions at a venue that will be communicated. A modest ground transportation cost to the training venue will be provided if needed.
Guidelines to Participate
- IndustryMeetsTalent is looking for creative ideas, projects, and business solutions to the pain points identified by industry partners.
- Review and select the pain point you are able to address most effectively. If you have a potential solution for several pain points, you may apply separately for each pain point.
- Gather your team and evaluate your idea(s) against the identified pain points.
- Contextualize your idea and develop a narrative (max 500 words).
- Fill out the narrative on the application form.
- Before submitting your application, ensure you have clarified any IP ownership and IP protection concerns related to your idea with your institution.
Timeline
21 August 2023
Application Portal Opens
17 September 2023
Application Portal Closes
20 September 2023
All teams are notified of the evaluation outcome
27 September to Mid December 2023
Training, Coaching & Industry Engagement
Mid December 2023
Deal Day: Presentations to Industry Partners
Frequently
Asked
Questions
IndustryMeetsTalent is an initiative run by Next Arabia in partnership with Mastercard Foundation. This initiative aims to solve some of the major industry pain points by leveraging talents and solutions at universities and TVETs. Unlike traditional approaches that focus on training and education (supply-driven), this initiative focuses on identifying real industry pain points and then using existing or newly developed talents to solve these industry pain points in order to create dignified work and entrepreneurship opportunities (demand-driven).
The main objectives of IndustryMeetsTalent are to solve major industry pain points, create dignified work opportunities, and promote entrepreneurship. By leveraging the talents and solutions available at universities and TVETs, the initiative aims to address industry challenges and provide sustainable solutions for the benefit of both industries and academia.
This initiative is unique because it is industry-driven, meaning it focuses on solving real industry needs. It identifies suitable solutions and skill sets at universities and TVETs to address these needs. Selected teams will undergo a training, coaching, and industry engagement program to enhance their capacity. The initiative concludes with a Deal Day where the industry can onboard the selected teams as suppliers of solutions or as employees.
- Access to industry through visits, access to experts, site visits
- Impact-oriented training program to learn market-relevant skill sets
- Hands-on 1-on-1 coaching to implement learnings into action
- Access to all training materials
- Support towards transport costs for team members to attend sessions
- Publicity/visibility of teams and their projects
- All activities are free of charge for the participating teams
The application portal opens on July 21st 2023, and closes on August 21st 2023.