1000s of At-Risk Girls in Nigeria to Benefit From Technology Education Leveraging 3D Printing

Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF) is an international non-profit, citizen-sector organization inspiring the next generation of technology entrepreneurs and leaders who bring innovative solutions to their nations challenges. YTF announced at the 2016 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting a Commitment to Action to train 6,000 out-of-school girls in Nigeria who are at risk of, or have survived, human trafficking in cutting-edge, in-demand technology skills. This digital skills training in 3D printing will occur at YTF digital hubs in Nigeria. This training focuses on the growing demand for 3D printing skills using human-centered innovation principles, a problem-based approach to designing and creating products. Girls who take this training will earn a trade certification, gain employment-ready skills and benefit from mentorship in employment and entrepreneurial settings. (PRNewsFoto/Youth for Technology Foundation)

The Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF) announced at the 2016 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting a Commitment to Action to train 6,000 out-of-school girls in Nigeria who are at risk of, or have survived, human trafficking in cutting-edge, in-demand technology skills.

This digital skills training in 3D printing will occur at YTF digital hubs in Nigeria. Training by YTF master trainers will incorporate female STEM professionals, industry experts and entrepreneurs as mentors. 

It will also incorporate partnerships with grassroots organizations that will provide training on sexual and reproductive health rights education, and local businesses that will provide apprenticeships for the girls. 

Education, Employability and Entrepreneurship 

This training focuses on the growing demand for 3D printing skills using human-centered innovation principles, a problem-based approach to designing and creating products.

Girls who take this training will earn a trade certification, gain employment-ready skills and benefit from mentorship in employment and entrepreneurial settings.

To help boost each girl's entrepreneurship opportunities, the training includes basic literacy and numeracy education, financial inclusion education, business capabilities, global access to steady employment through online marketplaces and leadership and entrepreneurship skills.

"Every day, we see firsthand that technology levels the playing field for girls," said Njideka Harry, YTF president and CEO. "Technology provides equal access to in-demand 21st century jobs. Our commitment at CGI includes training in 3D printing, an industry forecasted to grow to as much as $30 billion by 2025. We believe this is a powerful catalyst for girls to create their own online businesses to market their digital skills or products, access employment globally, escape poverty and experience true financial freedom."

How It Works 
YTF's core focus is leveraging the power of technology to educate and lift up impoverished girls, helping break the cycle of poverty. Participants will benefit from training that leads to higher education, more advanced employment skills, new career paths and enhancements to entrepreneurial businesses.

YTF's work is supplemented by local partnerships with the private and public sectors, including government, academia, foundations, social services agencies and local management committees. YTF's CGI commitment partners will provide funding, visibility, employment opportunities and mentorship.

At the CGI Annual Meeting, Harry will present in a session titled "Connectivity," exploring how to bridge the digital divide to positively impact the societies, environment and economies of the future.

Boosted by the learning and partnerships provided through CGI, YTF's program is slated to launch in the first half of 2017.

About Youth For Technology Foundation: 
Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF) is an international non-profit, citizen-sector organization founded in 2000. YTF partners with communities in the developing world and with low-income communities in the U.S. 

YTF has a strong track record of delivering technology, education, employment, and entrepreneurship programs for marginalized youth and women. Its flagship program, YTF Academy, addresses the education to employment skills gap by facilitating a participatory approach between the education sector and employers, providing STEM education and promoting collaboration and creativity while emphasizing problem solving and critical thinking.

YTF, in collaboration with its partners, is inspiring the next generation of technology entrepreneurs and leaders who bring innovative solutions to their nations challenges. Please join us today by volunteering or donating to our cause.

For more information, visit youthfortechnology.org 

About the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 
Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), an initiative of the Clinton Foundation, convenes global leaders to create and implement solutions to the world's most pressing challenges. CGI Annual Meetings have brought together 190 sitting and former heads of state, more than 20 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. 

To date, members of the CGI community have made more than 3,500 Commitments to Action, which have improved the lives of over 430 million people in more than 180 countries. 

For more information, visit clintonglobalinitiative.org 

SOURCE: Youth for Technology Foundation