Photo 1: a street or neighbourhood in an underserved community
Rooftops of a crowded informal settlement seen from above
Photo 2: young men seated outside, waiting
Young men sitting together on a bench outside
Photo 3: an older woman, a mother or grandmother
An older woman washing dishes outside her home
Photo 4: a young person studying on their phone
A young woman studying with her phone and notebook
A young man smiling and looking ahead

Talent is everywhere. What’s missing is opportunity, skills, a guide, a first step and direction.

In too many communities, talent grows up far from the rooms where careers begin.

Where we start

Our first step to close the gap.

Our first cohort of young people is learning with us this November, online and free of charge.

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Young people

in our first cohort

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Skill tracks

content creation, digital marketing and AI tools

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Live sessions

over four weeks, with practitioners

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Free

for every trainee

A DIRA team member speaking with young mothers from SHEnergy for Change

Out in the community

Young mothers. Big plans.

We sat down with the young mothers and adolescents of SHEnergy for Change. We came to listen. We left with a plan.

Photo 5: a young person learning, smiling
A young man smiling as he works on his laptop
Nov2026

The November intake

Find your direction.

Four weeks of live online training with practitioners. Pick one track and finish with real work to show.

  • Free
  • Online
  • Ages 18 and up
  • Starts November
  • Content CreationTell stories people stop for
  • Digital MarketingHelp brands find their audience
  • AI ToolsWork smarter with AI

Why DIRA

Built around the people we serve.

Our values are our compass. Here’s what they mean for every trainee and partner.

North

Every voice matters

We listen first, then shape our training around the people in the room.

East

Future-ready skills

Content creation, digital marketing and AI tools: the skills clients and employers ask for today.

South

Led by practitioners

Our trainers create, market and build with these tools every day, and hold every session to a professional standard.

West

Impact first

Free for every trainee. We measure success by what changes for the young people we serve.

 

Real work to show

Every track ends with a portfolio project, so trainees leave with proof, not just a certificate.

 

Learn from anywhere

Live online sessions you can join from a laptop or a smartphone, wherever you are.