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Altech builds second training centre

Tyson Ngubeni
By Tyson Ngubeni
Johannesburg, 17 Apr 2014
Altech's multimedia training centre in Alexandra is set to open in November.
Altech's multimedia training centre in Alexandra is set to open in November.

Allied Technologies (Altech) has begun construction on a new multimedia training centre in Alexandra, Johannesburg, in a bid to boost ICT skills for high school pupils and community members.

The facility will cater for more than 10 000 learners, from seven high schools in Alexandra, offering classes in mathematics, science and English.

Altech says it will provide computer literacy learnerships for unemployed youth in the area.

Deputy minister in the presidency Obed Bapela attended a sod-turning event at the construction site yesterday. Altech said the building is a response to earlier calls for improved ICT access in the township.

This is the second multimedia centre to be built by Altech, following a similar launch in KwaZulu-Natal in 2010. Altech says learners will have Internet access and gain skills to use technical and scientific programmes, such as CAD and Plato.

Altech CEO Craig Venter says the ICT skills will assist learners to take part in the South African economy. "By equipping our young people to participate in the knowledge economy, we are giving them the gift of economic freedom and our country the gift of growth and global competitiveness," says Venter.

Collaborative effort

Non-government organisation (NGO) Blue Groove Africa and the Alexandra Renewal project identified the site where the centre will be built, while the land was donated by the Johannesburg Property Company.

According to Altech, day-to-day functions will be run by Protec - another NGO - and it will also be responsible for additional tuition classes.

Altech aims for the centre to be a "well-equipped resource centre with adequate lighting, desks, chairs and educational supplies to create an environment in which students can learn," and expects construction to be complete by November.

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