When Bob and I first started Pybites, there was no way I could have imagined it’d grow to what it is today.
Launching our first products was a massive moment for us both, not just because these were ways to sustain the business, but because we were actually HELPING people. People were coming to us and utilising our services to better themselves and their communities.
The desire to help people and make some real change in the world become one of our core values: Lifting People Up.
This value system has led to our very first partnership. The excitement we feel having officially partnered with Believe Resourcing Group (BRG), based in South Africa, is beyond words.
Working with BRG will allow us to impact tens of thousands, if not, hundreds of thousands of people across the African continent. If that isn’t exciting enough, we’ll be able to support people who REALLY need it, too.
Why it Matters
Africa has an employment and skills gap that governments and organisations are working hard to address:
- 83.1% of employed peoples are currently “informally employed”. Think cash-in-hand style roles with little to no legal protections, contracts, insurance, etc.
- 29% of employed people grapple with “working poverty”. That is, they may be employed, but they’re still struggling to earn a living wage.
- Many workers lack the education, technical expertise, or vocational training needed to thrive in a competitive, globalised market. For example, in South Africa, over 50% of job seekers are considered mismatched for the roles they apply for.
While dire, things can be done to help, and it starts with education.
Pybites and Believe Resourcing Group
We’d be pretty arrogant to think we could step into situation like this and expect to magically fix things.
Enter Believe Resourcing Group. BRG is a South African-based talent acquisition company that has all of the knowledge, experience and connections we’re lacking.
Our original connection with BRG was completely serendipitous and it was on that first call with their team that they highlighted the gaps and realised the opportunity we had in front of us.
The energy and passion Angie, Bernadine, Zani and the rest of the BRG team have brought to our subsequent conversations rivals mine and Bob’s. This is how we know that with BRG, we’re actually going to be able to make a difference in the world.
Impact
At face value it’s easy to think that our Python coding platform “just” teaches you Python, but look a little deeper and you’ll see how capable it is of educating users beyond base Python:
- Python fundamentals + advanced Concepts
- External Python developer concepts (APIs, etc)
- Troubleshooting and Problem-Solving skills
- Maths
- General Computer Skills
As such, the Pybites Platform is well-placed to educate and provide support to those in Africa that really need it. These are a few cases I can think of right away:
- Children can use the platform to learn to code YEARS earlier than they otherwise would.
- Youth can learn to code to build solutions to problems they’ve identified in their communities.
- High schoolers and University students can learn valuable coding skills to help them land their first job.
- Workers impacted by layoffs can use the platform to stay relevant and find their next role.
- Non-tech workers can learn Python to reskill and move into jobs that better support them and their families.
As we dive deeper into this BRG, I’m confident we’ll flesh out many more needs that the platform can help fulfill.
What’s Next?
The conversation with BRG continues, and it’s exciting to see things moving so quickly.
The first step however is to engage with local communities, education institutions and governing bodies in Africa to discuss how the Pybites Platform can help with the most pressing issues they’ve identified.
BRG will be leading the charge with, Bob and I supporting as necessary. E.g.: We’re about to kick off a few Webinars to get things going!
I have no doubt that with the support of BRG, we’ll be able to make some lasting impact in the world, and for people who absolutely need it!
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– Julian