Build digital skills for the job market

Build digital skills for the job market

MEST, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and their Young Africa Works Program, offers digital skills and entrepreneurship training that matches trainees with job opportunities upon graduation. 

The Pre-MEST program is a 12-week, full-time, tuition-free early-stage training program designed to help participants acquire skills in software development, digital marketing, and technology entrepreneurship.

Pre-MEST is designed to prepare young people living in Ghana for dignified and meaningful work through employment and entrepreneurship.

More Than Just Skills Training

Through workshops, training sessions, and practical learning, trainees are taught the core skills needed to launch a career in business and technology.

Experts & Mentors

Training is led by industry experts while mentors provide participants one-on-one support throughout the program.

Practical Learning

The program is delivered through hands-on projects and assignments that give participants real-world experiences.

Job Matching

Participants get the opportunity to apply their skills in the real world through internships and job opportunities.

Become a Pre-MESTer

Software Development

Develop new skills in:

  • Front End Frameworks (e.g. React.js) 
  • Express Framework (for Node.js) 
  • Database (e.g MongoDB)
  • Unit Testing 
  • Soft Skills Training
Apply for the next cohort

Digital Marketing

Develop new skills in:

  • Design Thinking
  • Content Creation & Marketing
  • Web and Social Media Analytics
  • A/B Testing
  • Soft Skills Training
Apply for the next cohort

Hear What Our Graduates Have To Say

 

“I gained so much from the Pre-MEST Program. It was the stepping stone for me to find out what I really wanted for myself for the future. I learned so much from the classes and the soft skills sessions gave me the confidence to speak in public. The program really started something new for me. It ignited some passion and I’m so so grateful “

Fatima Alhassan Wayo

“I picked up a number of very useful skills and techniques during the program. The practical way in which the skills were presented helped me to grasp very basic concepts; it has made it easier for me to build upon them with time. The biggest takeaway for me was learning how to apply design thinking approaches to solving different kinds of problems.”

Jonathan Kwesi Ntsiful

“Over the past few years, my dream has been to become a leading woman in tech. I was not sure where to start from but I just knew I wanted to be in tech. Joining Pre-MEST has been a stepping stone to breaking into the tech world. Within 6 weeks I was able to learn full-stack web development and how to apply it to solve real-world problems.”

Marian-Rhoda Akondor

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Young people between the ages of 18 and 35 years
  • Passionate about technology and entrepreneurship
  • Residing in Ghana or able to attend in-person sessions
  • Available to commit to the program full-time
  • Disciplined, motivated, and a self-starter

The Pre-MEST training program is tuition-free and requires no financial payments to MEST or any of our partners. However, during application, a candidate is required to have access to a laptop/computer and internet access to complete the pre-course work and application process.

Even better, when you make it into the program, MEST will provide you with stipend to facilitate participation in the class sessions, and work on assignments and projects. This is a full-time program that requires you to be available to attend all classes and sessions.

The program is targeted at young people, ages 18-35, who are passionate about business and technology and want to develop their skills in these areas. At this stage, only applicants residing in Ghana are eligible for the program. 

No, you don’t need prior experience in digital marketing/software development to qualify for the program. You should have a genuine interest in business and technology and be ready to commit to the program fully. All necessary skills you need prior to the start of the program will be communicated to you in due time.

This program is open to all young Africans living anywhere in Ghana as long as they are able to attend the in-person training sessions. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide accommodation for participants at this time.

All prescribed courses are mandatory for your candidacy for the program. Additionally, there are means provided for you to take the course offline by selecting the ‘download as PDF’ option. If you are unable to complete them for genuine reasons, feel free to reach out to the recruitment team via email recruitment.premest@meltwater.org.

The applications have deadlines. The Pre-MEST team will get in touch with you when the application window closes and the selection of final candidates is done. You will also be informed if you do not make the cut. Please hold on until the application period is over to hear back from us.

The pre-application courses are self-taught and very easy to complete. You can go through them yourself with adequate focus and determination. If you still have questions or challenges reach us at recruitment.premest@meltwater.org so we see how best we can help.

Yes, this program is open to all people living anywhere in Ghana. We recognize that we may have applicants who live outside Accra, as such we have partnered with several other tech hubs to bring our program closer to you; check out the application page for details of participating hubs for each cohort. We will make provision to have all eligible candidates take part in this impactful training.

For more questions and inquiries, please send an email to recruitment.premest@meltwater.org

  • Applications open – 8th December, 2021
  • Applications close – 11th February, 2022
  • Program begins – 8th March, 2022
  • Program ends – 30th May, 2022

Software Development

  • Wa – Yison Tech Hub
  • Cape Coast – Code Coast

Digital Marketing

  • Ho – Ho Node Hub
  • Kumasi – Women’s Haven (women-only)
  • Bolga – Dansyn ISO
  • Takoradi – iCode

In partnership with

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