In May 2024, Cardtonic announced they were bringing back their Upskill program, Upskill 2.0, after a successful first run in 2021. This time, they promised to give 20 of Nigeria’s top tech talents a brand-new MacBook. 

The program aimed to support individuals in fields like software engineering, creative design, content creation, and product management. 

Now, maybe you heard about it when the Upskill 2.0 program started, or maybe this is your first time hearing about Upskill 2.0. Either way, stick with me; we’ve got a lot to catch up on.

Fast-forward to today, and the program has officially wrapped up. So, how did everything turn out? What was the vibe like for the participants? And the big question—how were the winners awarded? 

No worries, I’ve got you covered with the full gist of how Upskill 2.0 went down.

Upskill 2.0 Recap: How It All Went Down

Cardtonic’s Upskill 2.0 program took off with a bang, receiving a massive 9,228 applications from tech enthusiasts across Nigeria. But with only 20 MacBooks up for grabs, the competition was tough, and narrowing down the candidates was no small task.

Over the course of three intense stages, the pool was reduced to 33 finalists, with 20 emerging as the top winners. Wondering how it all played out? Let’s break it down:

Stage 1: Application Screening

To start, applicants had to fill out the application form on cardtonic.com/upskill, select their category, share their experience level, and submit a statement of purpose explaining why they deserved to be part of the Upskill 2.0 program.

After carefully reviewing these applications, the team narrowed it down to 7,472 candidates whose statements of purpose showed real potential, allowing them to move forward to the next stage.

Stage 2: Assessment Phase

Now, this is where things started getting real. The 7,472 candidates had to prove their skills in an online test, each one tailored to their specific field. But Cardtonic wasn’t taking any chances—strict anti-cheat rules were in place. 

Candidates had to keep their cameras on throughout the test, and no funny business like opening extra tabs was allowed. 

After reviewing the results, a cut-off mark was set, and only those who met the mark advanced to the final round.

Stage 3: Interview Stage

Even after passing the assessment, another review was conducted to determine which candidates would be invited for the interview. This review focused on assessing their eligibility and genuine need for the MacBook, as well as ensuring full compliance with the anti-cheat rules.

From this, the team selected 33 finalists to proceed to the interview. 

In the end, 20 winners were chosen to receive MacBooks, while the remaining 13 finalists were awarded consolation prizes for their impressive efforts and making it to the interview stage.

How Were the Prizes Awarded to the Winners?

After months of hustle and serious dedication, the winners of Cardtonic’s Upskill 2.0 program finally received their well-deserved award at a grand ceremony that exceeded expectations.

The award ceremony was held on October 26th, 2024. While it was an invitation-only event, thousands tuned in to watch the live stream across Cardtonic’s social media platforms—Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.

During the ceremony, Cardtonic’s management team presented the 20 winners with their MacBooks and the 13 finalists with their consolation prizes. The event also featured valuable insights from invited tech industry experts. 

The celebration proved to be a fitting conclusion to this impactful program.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cardtonic Upskill Program

1. How Were the Winners of Upskill 2.0 Selected?

The selection process involved three stages: application screening, an assessment phase with online tests, and final interviews. Out of 9,228 applications, 33 finalists were chosen. 20 winners received MacBooks, and the remaining finalists received consolation prizes.

2. What Prizes Did the Winners of Upskill 2.0 Receive? 

The top 20 winners each received a MacBook, while 13 other finalists were awarded consolation prizes for their impressive performances in the program.

3. When Was the Upskill 2.0 Award Ceremony? 

The award ceremony was held on October 26th, 2024. While it was an invitation-only event, it was streamed live on Cardtonic’s social media platforms for everyone to join virtually.

4. Will There Be Another Upskill Program in the Future?

While there is no official announcement yet, based on the success of Upskill 2.0, Cardtonic will likely continue its commitment to supporting tech talents in Nigeria through future editions of the program.

5. Is Cardtonic a Legit Brand?

Yes, Cardtonic is a legit brand. It’s one of the leading tech companies in Nigeria and Ghana, known for offering secure and reliable services. With Cardtonic, you can buy or sell gift cards, get a virtual dollar card, pay bills online, and even buy the latest gadgets. 

The platform is widely trusted, and all transactions are done through its easy-to-use app, making it a safe and convenient option for users.

Conclusion

The Upskill 2.0 journey proved to be an exciting one, ending with a celebration of exceptional talent. The award ceremony on October 26th marked the end of this remarkable program, which was streamed live across Cardtonic’s social media platforms.

And if you’re already thinking about the next edition of the Upskill program, you’re not alone! Keep following Cardtonic on their social platforms to stay updated on when the next Upskill program will be happening.

This might just be your chance to shine next time around!

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