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New Google Job Search Tool Launched In Africa

New Google Job Search Tool Launched In Africa

Google has launched a new job search tool for the African market, with the aim of helping employment seekers to find and access relevant job opportunities.

The new functionality has been designed so that those using the popular search engine to look for work will see a streamlined experience letting them explore, research and find relevant, local job postings, according to Businesstech.

From the beginning of March, job seekers residing in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria will be able to use the new search experience as part of their efforts to find employment.

The job search tool will assist them to find the best opportunities based on their specific situation, thanks to the immersive and localized nature of the search experience.

Speaking at a press conference to officially launch the job search tool, Google South Africa country director Luke Mckend explained the need for better search capabilities for those seeking work.

“Finding employment is still very difficult for many people. With unemployment in South Africa so high, this new job Search experience will help the millions of South Africans searching for new opportunities,” said Mckend, according to ITNewsAfrica.

“We believe that the web allows anyone, anywhere, of any age, to grow their business, learn the skills they need to get a job, to grow in their career, become an entrepreneur or developer. This new jobs search tool will be a key driver for connecting job seekers to open opportunities, helping more people to Grow with Google, ” he added.

“This new job search experience is part of our broader commitment to improve economic opportunities for job seekers and employers through Google technologies in partnership with the broader employment industry,” the country manager explained.

“Google is committed to providing useful, accurate and relevant information based on your search queries and helping you connect to your next job. In this way we hope to make a contribution towards matching job seekers with jobs and taking steps to tackle the skills gap,” he concluded.

While this functionality is only available in South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya at the moment, it will be expanded to other African markets in due course.

New mentorship program

In November, Google launched a mentorship program that is specifically focused on supporting African tech entrepreneurs, with a new Google Launchpad space now available in Nigeria.

Google Developers Launchpad Africa, which operates from a new Google Launchpad Space in Lagos, is a mentorship program that aims to provide tech startups based in Africa with the tools to build sustainable businesses, according to IOL.

The Google Launchpad Space in Nigeria is the first onsite location for the program outside of the U.S.

The Google Developers Launchpad Africa program is currently accepting applications for the first Launchpad Africa class, set for Nigeria in early 2018, according to Google.

Applications are open to tech startups in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda, as long as these startups have already raised seed funding.

African startups involved in this three-month mentorship program will receive over $3 million in equity-free support, working space, travel, public relations support, and access to tech and business experts from Google, Silicon Valley, and Africa over the next three years.