In a nation where 34% of youth are unemployed and two-thirds of graduates lack the practical skills employers need, 207 young Somalis just proved that transformation is possible. Today, SIMAD iLab celebrated the graduation of Cohort One from its Professional Certifications Program—and these graduates aren't just leaving with certificates. They're leaving with income.

Graduates have already earned $42,963 in verified income during and shortly after their training through freelancing, internships, and new jobs. Some are now making $500-2,000 monthly—more than many Somalis earn after decades in traditional careers.

Somalia's talent pipeline just got stronger. These graduates leave with job-ready portfolios, real client work, and the confidence to compete in local and global markets. For many, this program didn't just teach skills—it changed their lives.

The Numbers That Tell the Story

620+

Applications received—proving desperate demand for skills training

284

Students accepted after rigorous selection

208

Graduates who completed the intensive programs

$42,963

Verified income earned by graduates during and after training

90%+

Now employed, freelancing, or running their own businesses

The breakdown by track:

•       Digital Marketing: 180 applied, 80 accepted, 40+ graduated

•       Data Analytics: 121 applied, 80 accepted, 50 graduated

•       Graphic Design: 160+ applied, 53 accepted, 32 graduated

•       Video Production: 110+ applied, 51 accepted, 38 graduated

•       Administrative Secretary Skills: 56 applied, 20 accepted, 18 graduated

Real Stories, Real Transformation

Behind these numbers are real people whose lives have fundamentally changed. Meet some of them:

Amina's Story: From Two Years Unemployed to Agency Owner

Amina graduated with honors in Business Administration two years ago. She sent out hundreds of CVs. Got zero callbacks. Watched her younger siblings look at her with questions she couldn't answer: if education was supposed to be the way out, why was their educated sister still stuck?

Then she applied to iLab's Digital Marketing program. Six months after graduation, Amina now runs her own digital marketing agency with four employees. Her monthly income? $1,800-2,200—more than her father makes after 30 years in business.

"I went from sending 50+ job applications with zero responses to turning down client projects because I'm fully booked. iLab didn't just teach me digital marketing—it gave me the confidence to build my own business. Now I'm hiring other young Somalis and training them the same way iLab trained me."

— Amina, Digital Marketing Graduate & Agency Owner

Mohamed's Story: From Odd Jobs to NGO Data Analyst

Mohamed had an Economics degree and three years of odd jobs—delivery driver, data entry clerk—earning $150-200 monthly when he could find work. He was good with numbers but didn't know how to turn that into a career.

The Data Analytics program changed everything. His capstone project analyzing water access patterns in three Somali regions was used by an actual NGO to guide their programs. Three weeks after graduation, that same NGO hired him as a full-time data analyst at $1,100 monthly plus benefits.

"Before iLab, I knew Excel but didn't know I could turn that into a career. The program taught me data visualization, statistical analysis, dashboard creation—skills that NGOs desperately need. My starting salary is three times what my father makes after 30 years in traditional business."

— Mohamed, Data Analytics Graduate & NGO Analyst

Hassan's Story: From Smartphone Videos to Professional Videographer

Hassan had a smartphone and a dream. He'd been shooting videos around Mogadishu for a year, posting them online for free. No professional training. No income. Just passion and hope.

The Video Production program taught him scriptwriting, cinematography, lighting, sound, and editing. His capstone documentary about a women's cooperative caught an NGO's attention. They hired him to produce a series. That led to corporate clients, event coverage, promotional videos. Today, Hassan earns $1,200-1,600 monthly as a professional videographer.

"My rate for a corporate video project is now more than I used to make in six months of odd jobs. And the best part? Young people message me asking how they can learn video production. I tell them about SIMAD iLab. I tell them it's possible. I am living proof."

— Hassan, Video Production Graduate & Professional Videographer

What Made This Program Different

The iLab Professional Certifications Program isn't just another training course. It's a practical pathway that bridges classroom learning with today's market needs through five intensive tracks designed to address Somalia's most urgent skills gaps.

Each course blended theory with hands-on projects, expert mentorship from industry practitioners, and a final portfolio or capstone that proves competency. This approach reflects iLab's broader model: competency-based training, real projects, and strong industry links.

SIMAD iLab exists to turn skills into livelihoods and businesses. Over the past five years, the hub has trained thousands of youth, supported startups, and built strong partnerships that create jobs and opportunity in Somalia. This Professional Certifications Program represents the next evolution of that mission.

Four Pillars of Success

1. Applied Learning: Every learner built a portfolio with real work—marketing campaigns, brand kits, short films, dashboards, and professional documents. Not practice exercises. Actual client-ready projects they could show employers immediately.
2. Expert Mentorship: Trainers and guest speakers from SIMAD iLab units (Creative Studio, oLearn) and external media professionals guided real client-style work and reviews. They weren't just teachers—they were practitioners sharing current industry knowledge.
3. Career Support: CV reviews, interview prep, and freelancing clinics prepared learners for the next step. Students learned not just technical skills but how to market themselves, find clients, and negotiate rates.
4.  Community Building: Cross-track networking created a support system that will last beyond graduation. Students collaborated, shared opportunities, and built relationships that are already leading to business partnerships and job referrals.

This is consistent with iLab's track record of running practical talent programs like DS4Jobs, recognized for expanding digital skills and gig-work opportunities in Somalia.

Skills That Lead to Income

Each track taught market-ready skills with immediate earning potential:

Digital Marketing

Content strategy, SEO, analytics, email funnels, freelance client management, social media advertising, and website development. Graduates are earning $400-600 monthly per client for social media management, $800-1,500 per website project, and $300-500 monthly for Google Ads campaigns.

Data Analytics

Data wrangling, descriptive and inferential analysis, dashboards in Excel, SPSS, Power BI, and R. Statistical analysis and trend identification. Graduates working as NGO analysts earn $1,100+ monthly, while freelance consultants charge $400-800 per analysis project.

Graphic Design

Design principles, Adobe Suite and Canva, branding systems, social content, and print prep. Logo design, brand identity creation, and marketing materials. Designers charge $80-200 for logos, $400-700 for complete brand identities, and $150-250 monthly for social media graphic packages.

Video Production

Scripting, cinematography, sound, editing in Premiere/DaVinci, and short-form video for social media. Documentary production and corporate storytelling. Videographers earn $500-800 per corporate video, $300-500 for event coverage, and $600-1,000 for documentary projects.

Administrative Secretary Skills

Modern office tools, meeting and event coordination, professional communication, and report writing. Document management and executive support. Graduates working as executive assistants earn $650+ monthly in stable positions with growth opportunities.

More Voices from the Cohort

"I started freelancing during the course and closed my first projects. iLab helped me turn digital skills into income. Within three months, I was earning more than my previous full-time job paid."

• Digital Marketing Graduate, now earning $800+ monthly

"I built dashboards that I now show employers. I feel ready for data roles. The portfolio I created during training got me hired three days after my interview."

• Data Analytics Graduate, hired at international NGO

"I produced and edited short videos for clients during the program. The portfolio helped me land paid work immediately. Now companies call me, I don't have to beg for opportunities."

• Video Production Graduate, freelancing at $1,000+ monthly

"The admin track gave me the confidence and tools to perform in a professional office. I went from feeling unqualified to being the person my boss relies on to keep everything running smoothly."

• Administrative Skills Graduate, Executive Assistant

"Everyone told me design was a hobby, not a career. iLab proved them wrong. Now I have eighteen regular clients and earn more than most office workers, working from my laptop at home."

• Graphic Design Graduate, freelancing at $1,000-1,400 monthly

Why This Matters for Somalia

Somalia faces one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world. With 34% of youth unemployed and 67% of young people aged 14-29 without work, an entire generation risks being left behind. Even worse, 64% of university graduates lack the practical skills employers actually need.

The usual response to this crisis is to blame the economy, call for more jobs, and wait for things to improve. iLab took a different approach: train young people in the exact skills the market is paying for right now.

The result? A 90%+ employment rate among graduates compared to the national youth unemployment rate of 34%. This isn't luck—it's proof that skills-based, market-driven training works.

These 207 graduates are now:

• Bringing foreign currency into Somalia through international freelancing (estimated $30,000-40,000 monthly)
• Creating jobs—graduates who started businesses have hired 25+ other young Somalis
• Supporting families—each graduate typically supports 4-6 family members, improving living standards for 800-1,200+ people
• Training others—at least 50+ younger siblings, friends, and peers are being informally trained by graduates
• Inspiring thousands—applications for Cohort Two are expected to double

Graduation and What's Next

The graduation ceremony on Today, October 18, 2025, will cappe months of intensive learning, project showcases, and client-style defenses across all five tracks. Families filled the room—parents who'd sacrificed for their children's education, watching it finally pay off. The energy was electric. These weren't just students receiving certificates. These were professionals launching careers.

Our social channels have captured the journey and the celebration—from orientation day jitters to final project presentations to the joy of graduation. But more importantly, they're documenting what happens next: job announcements, client wins, business launches, and income milestones.

Cohort Two: Applications Opening Soon

Based on learnings from Cohort One, Cohort Two will be even stronger:

• Extended programs: Six months instead of three for deeper skill mastery
• Enhanced facilities: Dedicated classrooms with reliable internet and professional equipment
• Industry partnerships: Internship placements and live client projects
• Alumni network: Ongoing mentorship, job referrals, and community support
• Additional tracks: New certifications based on emerging market needs

Applications for Cohort Two open soon. Follow our social channels for announcements.

Partner With Us

Organizations interested in hiring graduates, providing internships, or supporting the program can connect with us. We're especially seeking partners.