Carerha: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities for Women
Updated 9/24/2024 8:00:00 AM
Arab Finance: The female labor force participation rate in Egypt is approximately 21.3% to 22.4%, significantly lower than that of men, according to the National Council of Women. This disparity highlights the persistent challenges women face in accessing employment opportunities. This also underscores the importance of preparing women and equipping them with the skills needed in the workforce.
That is why Arab Finance sat down with Jessy Radwan, Founder and CEO of Carerha, an educational organization dedicated to empowering women by teaching them the needed skills and toolkit for the workforce. Radwan shared insights into Carerha’s mission, the programs they offer, and the future of microlearning in Egypt’s educational landscape.
1-Can you tell us more about Carerha's mission and vision for empowering women in business and entrepreneurship?
Carerha was established seven years ago as an initiative called “Hire Super Mama,” designed to help mothers find flexible employment opportunities. This initiative stemmed from my personal experience, after the birth of my daughter, I struggled to find a job that allowed me to balance my professional aspirations with my responsibilities as a parent.
The initiative gained significant traction, resonating with many mothers in Egypt and beyond who faced similar challenges in finding flexible work that accommodates their need for work-life balance.
As the initiative grew, it became clear that these challenges were not exclusive to mothers but extended to all women who often encounter obstacles that hinder their ability to re-enter the workforce or advance their careers.
At Carerha, we focus on two key areas: empowering women and collaborating with corporations. Our mission is to help women find suitable jobs by enhancing their skills and information and connecting them with companies.
Simultaneously, we engage with various companies to help them address gaps in their diversity and inclusion strategies by assisting in the implementation of necessary frameworks to achieve their objectives. We accomplish this through a variety of programs, initiatives, and employer branding efforts.
2-What are some of the biggest challenges that women in business face today, and how does Carerha address these challenges?
Women encounter three primary challenges in the business realm. First, many women struggle to re-enter their career paths after extended maternity leave. Second, there is often a gap in the necessary skills required for new roles, given the evolving demands of the job market. Third, women frequently lack the knowledge and expertise needed to successfully manage their own businesses.
Carerha addresses these challenges through various programs and initiatives available on our website. Additionally, we recognize that companies sometimes find these women disconnected from the workforce. While they actively seek qualified female candidates, they often struggle to find enough women who meet their requirements due to the previously mentioned barriers. This results in a mismatch between job vacancies and qualified candidates, preventing both parties from reaching their full potential.
Moreover, some companies may prioritize diversity and inclusion initiatives solely for numerical representation without genuinely addressing the specific challenges women face. In such cases, Carerha serves as a mediator, facilitating meaningful connections between companies and women to foster a more inclusive work environment.
3-Microlearning seems to be gaining traction. How does Carerha's platform cater to the growing demand for bite-sized, on-demand learning experiences? And what trends are you seeing in the corporate learning and development landscape?
Carerha provides bite-sized content through short, focused modules that enable users to quickly learn specific skills, making it ideal for busy individuals who require flexible learning options. With on-demand access, users can conveniently engage with educational materials anytime and anywhere, accommodating those balancing work and family commitments.
Our microlearning courses include a variety of formats, such as skill development videos, interactive quizzes, action-led learning modules, single-scrolling pages, and micro-masterclasses.
In the broader landscape of corporate learning and development, key trends include a focus on personalized learning experiences tailored to individual employee needs. This is in addition to the adoption of blended learning approaches that combine traditional and online training, with an increasing emphasis on developing soft skills, which are essential for career advancement.
Organizations are also fostering a continuous learning culture, encouraging ongoing education beyond initial training while leveraging data-driven approaches to assess the effectiveness of training programs. These trends signify a shift towards more flexible, engaging, and effective learning solutions that align with the evolving needs of employees and organizations.
4- Carerha's platform leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to personalize learning experiences. Can you explain how AI is being used on the platform and how it benefits learners?
Carerha's platform leverages AI to personalize learning experiences based on each individual’s skills, goals, and preferences. AI analyzes learner data to create personalized learning paths, adapt content difficulty, identify skill gaps, provide real-time feedback, and track engagement. This personalized approach benefits learners by increasing efficiency, motivation, and continuous improvement, ultimately enhancing their employability and career prospects.
One of the programs we have to support learners in this field is ‘Tech Her Up’. Tech Her Up is an educational initiative aimed at empowering 1,000 women in Cairo, Alexandria, and Assiut with essential skills for careers in six tech domains, including AI. This hybrid training program, funded by USAID and implemented by DAI, runs for five months and is designed to prepare women without prior tech experience to enter the workforce confidently.
5-What are your thoughts on the current state of the global economy, and how do you see Carerha helping women navigate this economic landscape?
The current state of the global economy presents numerous challenges, including rising inflation, supply chain disruptions, and fluctuating job markets. These factors disproportionately affect women, particularly those in emerging economies who may already face barriers to employment and career advancement.
In this context, Carerha plays a vital role in helping women navigate this economic landscape through various initiatives aimed at empowerment and skill development. Besides the courses and programs, we offer to prepare women for those challenges. Carerha also provides networking opportunities.
We facilitate connections between skilled women and potential employers through events like companies’ annual career summits. By focusing on skill development, mentorship, and networking opportunities, Carerha not only enhances individual career prospects but also contributes to broader economic resilience and gender equality.
6-Can you tell us about Carerha's network of successful women leaders? How does this network benefit Carerha's members?
Carerha has built a robust network of successful women leaders in various fields, such as business, technology, sustainability, and social impact.
This network is massive and full of supportive and notable figures like Mirna Arif, General Manager of Microsoft Egypt, Lamise Negm, CSR Advisor to the Governor at the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), and Hoda Dahroug, National Project Director - Egypt ICT Trust Fund at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, to name a few.
This network provides Carerha's members with valuable mentorship, guidance, and access to opportunities. By connecting members with experienced leaders, Carerha aims to empower women and foster their professional growth.
7-Can you share some key performance metrics that reflect Carerha's performance, such as the number of courses, programs, and participants?
Carerha has demonstrated significant performance metrics that reflect its impact and reach in empowering women. Our platform offers over 50 courses and programs, with more than 90 masterclasses, attracting approximately 12,000 participants.
Carerha works with the help of over 100 consultants for womenpreneurs and 100 career coaches. Our events have drawn around 60,000 attendees, showcasing their extensive outreach and community engagement.
These metrics highlight Carerha's commitment to providing valuable educational resources and support to women, facilitating their entry into the workforce, and enhancing their career prospects.
The organization's focus on skill development and community building is evident through these numbers, demonstrating its effectiveness in fostering a supportive environment for women's empowerment.
8-Can you provide an overview of the size and growth rate of the corporate learning and development market?
The corporate learning and development (L&D) market in Egypt is poised for significant growth, driven by the need for continuous employee development and the increasing integration of technology in training practices. This environment presents opportunities for platforms like Carerha to meet the evolving needs of both employees and employers.
A 2023 report by the AUC’s School of Business, titled “The Corporate Learning and Development Landscape in Egypt,” highlights that about 87% of surveyed companies want training providers to tailor programs based on specific organizational needs, indicating a shift towards more personalized learning experiences. There is also a growing demand for soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving, and tech training in L&D programs.
9- Finally, what do you think is the most welcoming sector for women in Egypt in 2024?
In 2024, the information and communication technology (ICT) sector is expected to be the most welcoming for women in Egypt. Employment opportunities for women in this sector are growing at a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%. This significantly exceeds the overall employment growth for women in other sectors, where declines have been observed.
Additionally, female entrepreneurship is notably on the rise, making the field an increasingly attractive one for women. This rise is supported by enhanced participation in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and various government initiatives aimed at empowering women in business.
These developments not only highlight the potential for women's economic contributions but also reflect a broader trend towards inclusivity and support for female-led ventures in Egypt.
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