The British Council has officially launched the Digital Innovation and Vocational Employability (DIVE) Programme, a new initiative aimed at equipping young graduates with critical digital and problem-solving skills to boost employability in today’s technology-driven job market.

Speaking at the launch, Director of Programmes and Partnerships at the British Council, Richard Kwesi Shiangbor, explained that the eight-week pilot programme will provide 80 selected graduates with hands-on training in digital literacy, coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence. The programme, which attracted over 1,000 applicants, will also feature a Capstone Project, requiring participants to design real-world solutions using the skills acquired.

“Digital literacy and problem-solving are still lacking among Africa’s youth, and this programme is designed to change that. DIVE is one of our flagship initiatives to boost employability skills, aligned with government priorities, while ensuring graduates are prepared for the future of work. The programme will run on a hybrid model, two in-person sessions and one online session per week, and is being delivered in partnership with both local and international organisations, including Google and UK-based tech firms".

The Chief Executive Officer of IoT Network Hub, Joshua Opoku Agyemang, described the programme as a crucial bridge between academia and industry.

“The DIVE Training Programme is designed to provide practical, future-ready skills. Our universities often don’t provide the type of digital training the job market demands. With this initiative, participants will gain not only technical knowledge in AI and digital marketing but also critical skills such as creativity, problem-solving, and design thinking.”

For participants like Daniella Afful, a freelance digital marketer, the program represents an opportunity to pioneer homegrown digital solutions.

“It’s not every day that young people are given opportunities like this. With DIVE, we can create solutions by us and for us as Ghanaians. I’m particularly excited to use my digital marketing training to boost the visibility of Ghanaian businesses and drive locally-made solutions", she said.

The DIVE programme forms part of the British Council’s broader commitment to support youth employability and innovation across Sub-Saharan Africa. With tertiary enrollment numbers projected to grow significantly in Ghana by 2030, Shiangbor emphasised that the Council is committed to expanding future cohorts beyond Accra to other parts of the country.

The initiative is also aligned with government efforts to address youth unemployment and skills gaps in the digital economy. Agencies such as the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), and MASLOC joined the launch to pledge support.

By introducing practical, future-focused training, the DIVE programme seeks to ensure Ghana’s youth are not just job seekers, but creators of solutions and opportunities in the global digital space.