In early May
2019 Vodacom certified 30 unemployed youth at a graduation ceremony.
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| Graduates at the Vodacom graduation ceremony | Image: Supplied |
They had
just done 2 years of intense theory, practicals and work-based training in A+
(entry-level computer service professional certification), N+ (mid-level
certification for network technicians) and 3G connectivity, with diplomas in IT
Technical Support at its KwaZulu-Natal Youth Academy.
The
graduates participated in the Vodacom Youth Academy’s established programme
under one of four categories including end-user computing (NQF level 3), cell
phone and device repair management (NQF level 3), IT Technical Support (NQF
level 4) and networking support (NQF level 5) some of the duties included
providing IT technical and data capturing support to schools and municipalities
in the area.
“Given the existing ICT skills gap
currently hindering the progress of South Africa’s youth, initiatives, such as
Vodacom Youth Academy, are essential in the upskilling of these
young people in order to enable them to
integrate into ICT-related professions. In so doing, we not only better the
circumstances of unemployed youth in the country, but also
provide companies with skilled resources
who effectively contribute towards the growing economy,” said Takalani
Netshitenzhe, Chief Officer: Corporate Affairs for Vodacom.
For the first time in this programme, 32
IT entrepreneurs will graduate alongside the ICT skills graduates, receiving
certification in business management and entrepreneurship. They were chosen to
undergo this qualification after having completed the NQF level 4 and 5 courses
in the ICT skills programme.
The Vodacom Foundation founded the the
Youth Academy in 2014, the purpose being to develop ICT skills in the youth of
the country who would not otherwise have the opportunity to do so. The aim of
the programme is to train unemployed youth for free, in ICT skills and
thereafter further develop them into ICT entrepreneurs to assist with the
installation of IT equipment and provide instruction in high-end computer
skills to visitors of the Academy’s training centres.
Trainees in the programme, established in
partnership with Department of Basic Education, Department of Public Works,
Cisco, CompTIA, Microsoft, MICT-Seta, Independent
Development Trust and the Innovator Trust,
receive accredited ICT training with the potential for beneficiaries to be
offered practical experience in projects which can include
IT technical support and the installation
of hardware and software.
According to a report commissioned by
Siemens, a potential of R4 trillion could be added to the African economy by
2026 through the adoption of digitalisation, and South
Africa was found to have the highest
potential to drive such innovation. However, the skilled workforce to tap into
this market was found to be lacking.
Equipping the youth with transferable
digital skills has been proven to not only improve their employment
opportunities, but will also greatly increase the labour market as a
whole, productivity, innovation and
stimulate economic growth.
Vodacom has been celebrating the success
of 367 young South Africans across the country, who have graduated with
certified IT Technical Support diplomas from the mobile
network operator’s Youth Academy during
the months of March and May. Vodacom held its first graduation in March, in
Johannesburg.
The graduation ceremony was a glitzy
affair with much joy and celebration from students and their family and
friends.
Guests were serenaded by songbird
Nonzwakazi Maphumulo a young star herself. She is on her way to success
herself.
A sign that the future of South Africa is
in our youth.
This edition by Fred Felton | Twitter
@fredfelton
