How Nigeria’s SUWK links users with jobs and assists them in upskilling
Nigerian startup Skill Up With Kahdsole (SUWK) is a cutting-edge ed-tech platform that offers easily accessible, market-driven vocational education and assistance with job placement through an extensive online ecosystem, tackling the pressing concerns of youth unemployment and skill shortages.
SUWK was established in 2021 by Chioma Ukpabi and Kelvin Steve, a couple who are passionate about changing the educational and career prospects for young people in Nigeria. The organization aims to provide young people in Nigeria with skills that are in-demand, aligned with the market and industry, and link them to economic opportunities so they can lead sustainable lives.
Among its services are SUWK Learn, a technologically advanced, tutor-led platform for vocational training, and SUWK Work, a job marketplace that links graduates with long-term employment.
“We found that low-income communities in Nigeria lacked access to high-quality vocational education. A recent analysis indicates that there is a growing need for skilled labor, and that over the next three to five years, the Nigerian technical talent gig economy is likely to be valued at over US$1.4 billion. According to Ukpabi, traditional vocational schools frequently lack the tools and industrial relevance required to satisfy these objectives.
Traditional vocational schools and online course providers are some of our rivals. But SUWK distinguishes itself by combining technology with practical instruction, offering a blended learning environment that guarantees both adaptability and efficiency. One distinctive quality that makes us stand out is the direct connection we provide between graduates and work possibilities through our job marketplace.
Cohort training fees from corporate partners, placement fees from employers that hire SUWK graduates, and commissions from job marketplace transactions are how SUWK is financed. The Mastercard Foundation Edtech Fellowship Program has also acknowledged it.
The organization has trained more than 2,500 students, provided 18 skill-building programs, and collaborated with more than 45 corporate sponsors. As a result, its graduates’ wages have increased by 65%.
“The response has been really positive. Over 2,500 learners have received successful training from us in a variety of occupational disciplines, and our job placement rate after training has been outstanding. According to Ukpabi, “many of our grads have increased their earnings significantly and secured sustainable employment.”
At the moment, SUWK works throughout Nigeria, with an emphasis on low-income areas where there is a greater demand for job assistance and vocational training.
“Our expansion plans entail expanding our corporate partnerships to increase job placement opportunities across the continent and scaling our operations to other West African countries with similar needs,” stated Ukpabi.
