You’ve probably seen it happen—a candidate with a seemingly impressive resume, primed for an experienced role, steps in full of potential, but once they’re on the job, they’re completely out of their depth. This scenario is happening far too often, especially in Africa’s tech scene. The issue boils down to a major gap in the traditional education system. Without structured technical training embedded in the curriculum, many aspiring professionals don’t get the practical skills they need to truly excel. Instead, we’re seeing a growing trend of inflated resumes—junior developers and designers labeling themselves as seniors, hoping to bridge the gap through self-learning or online courses. And when the reality hits, both employers and candidates are left frustrated.
It’s not just a problem for companies, though. Young talent across Africa is facing a harsh truth: mastering a technical skill is one thing, but landing and thriving in a job—especially in global markets—is another beast entirely. These young professionals want to break into international gigs right after learning the basics, but they quickly hit a wall. Cultural barriers, unfamiliar work environments, and a glaring lack of soft skills—like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving—keep them from taking that next big leap.
It’s a tough cycle: to get experience, they need the job, but to get the job, they need experience.
That’s exactly where the Checklearn program comes in. This program is designed to solve that critical problem, offering much more than just technical training. It’s about equipping African talent with real-world, hands-on knowledge and soft skills they need to thrive in today’s job market. Think of it as the missing puzzle piece that connects raw potential to actual career success.
With Checklearn, students dive deep into understanding how industries work, how to navigate professional environments, and how to communicate effectively with clients and teams. It’s not just about what’s on the resume—it’s about knowing how to apply that knowledge in practice, especially when the stakes are high.
Checklearn has always had a clear mission: to build a pipeline of talent that’s ready for the global stage. The program is the embodiment of this vision, ensuring that students are prepared not just in technical expertise but also in the unspoken rules of the workplace. Through hands-on learning and real-world simulations, students leave the program with the confidence and know-how to handle whatever comes their way. Checklearn’s commitment to the core can be seen in their recent partnership with TechCabal at the Moonshot offsite on October 12, 2024, where Charles Eke, Co-Founder & COO of Check, Coker Oluwafemi, Creative Technologist & Founder of Lagos Meet, and Ibifuro Otobo, People Operations Lead at Check, explored the theme "Beyond Learning: Where Experience Matters." The three-hour session was an extension of Checklearn's soft skills workshop series.
But what really sets Checklearn apart is the quality of its guest tutors. These aren’t your average instructors—they’re industry leaders, professionals with years of experience in the trenches. From communication experts to leadership coaches, these tutors bring a wealth of insights that go way beyond the basics. They’ve been there, done that, and they’re passing on the kind of wisdom that can’t be learned from a textbook. As part of its intentional providence, the organization collaborated with the School of Creatives for this year's Creatives Connect event on October 19, 2024.
In a crowded job market, technical skills alone won’t cut it. It’s the ability to communicate, adapt, and problem-solve that really gets you noticed. And that’s exactly what Checklearn delivers. African talent is no longer stuck at the crossroads, wondering how to move from learning to doing. They’re stepping into the global arena fully equipped, not just to get their foot in the door, but to kick it wide open and walk confidently into a world of endless opportunities.
