The ICT Authority of Kenya has officially announced the commencement of applications for the highly sought-after Presidential Digital Talent Programme (Digitalent) Cohort VIII for the fiscal year 2023/24.

The program, which spans a comprehensive 12-month period, is designed to empower and equip recent graduates in the fields of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and engineering with practical skills, thus enhancing their employability prospects and nurturing their entrepreneurial ambitions.

Digitalent offers successful applicants a remarkable opportunity to gain hands-on workplace experience, broaden their knowledge base, receive valuable mentorship, and establish professional networks in specialized domains, including:

a) 150 internship slots in Network and Infrastructure.

b) 100 internship slots in Software Development & Artificial Intelligence.

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c) 50 internship slots in Information Security.

d) 50 internship slots in Multimedia, focusing on Graphic Design and Digital Marketing.

e) 50 internship slots in Data Analysis.

The application window is now open, with Kenyan citizens encouraged to submit their applications through the official portal before the closing date on 3rd October 2023.

Notably, the program has successfully trained over 2,000 interns who have subsequently found employment across diverse sectors of the economy.

Stanley Kamanguya, the Chief Executive Officer of the ICT Authority, has issued a fervent call to aspiring applicants, emphasizing the program's pivotal role in shaping the nation's ICT workforce:

"Through the Presidential Digital Talent Internship Program (PDTP), the Government of Kenya continues to produce high skilled ICT labor for the industry."

Furthermore, the program promotes diversity and inclusivity, encouraging applications from Kenyan women, Persons living with Disabilities (PLWDs), and individuals hailing from the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) regions.

This aligns with one of the key pillars of the Kenya National Digital Master Plan (2022-32), emphasizing the paramount importance of Digital Skills in realizing the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

Digital skills, as underscored by the Digital Skills Pillar, are the essential prerequisites for harnessing the potential of technology across all sectors of the economy, spanning various skill levels.

This inclusivity is critical for ensuring that every Kenyan can access digital technology, attain digital literacy, and actively participate in the digital economy.

The Digital Skills Pillar remains dedicated to fostering the development of the necessary competencies and expertise vital for the thriving Digital Economy.

Interns are not only immersed in digital skills but also acquire other invaluable non-digital skill sets such as critical thinking and entrepreneurial abilities.

Those with innovative aspirations have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of ICT innovation through the program's mentorship component.

The ICT Authority warmly invites recent university graduates to apply for the prestigious Presidential Digital Talent Programme (PDTP) Cohort VIII Intake.

This transformative initiative by the government seeks young, talented Kenyans with a passion for ICT and public service to embark on a structured 12-month internship journey, encompassing both the public and private sectors.

The core objective of this internship program is to groom and prepare young ICT graduates for fulfilling careers and entrepreneurial endeavours within the ICT sector and other related industries.

Eligibility criteria for applicants include the following:

1. Applicants must have graduated with First or Upper Second-Class Honors (or the equivalent) from a recognized institution within the last two years, starting from January 2021.

2. Those awaiting graduation until December 2023 must furnish a recommendation/reference letter, signed and stamped by the university, indicating the award of First or Upper Second-Class Honors.

3. Recent graduates in fields such as BSc. ICT or Engineering (with specializations in Electrical & Electronics, Telecommunication, and Software) are eligible to apply. Applicants should possess comprehensive knowledge in their respective core areas of specialization, including Network & Digital Infrastructure, Software Development & Artificial Intelligence, Information Security, Multimedia (Graphic Design) & Digital Marketing, and Data Analytics. Additionally, applicants may be required to demonstrate technical competence in their specialization before the interview.

4. Applicants should be Kenyan youth between the ages of 21 to 29 and currently unemployed.

5. Applicants must not have previously participated in any other government internship program.

6. Successful applicants must be prepared for full-time deployment in any government organization (MCDAs) within the 47 counties, with working hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

7. The program strongly encourages applications from females, persons with disabilities, and graduates from ASAL regions.

Applicants interested in joining Cohort VIII of the Presidential Digital Talent Programme are urged to complete the online application form available at digitalent website.

It is crucial to attach all relevant documents as specified in the application form.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted to attend interviews. 

In a bid to foster a digitally skilled workforce and propel Kenya's technological evolution, the ICT Authority remains committed to nurturing the next generation of ICT professionals and innovators through the Presidential Digital Talent Programme.

As the application window swings open, the nation anticipates a new wave of talent ready to embrace the digital future.