Women are getting a foot in the IT door, as a partnership between government and business puts the focus on training women for IT positions.
One of the partnership`s projects, the Tombo Centre Learning Academy, was officially launched in the Eastern Cape this week, although it has been open since September last year. In that time, the academy has recruited 19 young women from the area, and has been providing them with practical networking skills.
Speaking at the launch, DTI deputy minister Lindiwe Hendricks praised the programme for addressing the issue of gender imbalance, and stressed the importance of skills development in the creation of jobs.
The Tombo IT academy is a partnership between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Cisco Systems, Microsoft, the Department of Science and Technology, CSIR, Universal Services Agency and Digital Partners.
Cisco Systems provided training for the academy`s instructors, as well as the required computer equipment as part of the company`s social responsibility programme. The DTI has also provided funds to the academy, and will cover the learners` tuition fees.
Cisco area academy manager for Africa Nancy Ncube says it is important that women in rural areas be given opportunities. "Unemployment is extremely high in rural areas, and most women are not economically independent. This leaves them vulnerable to a host of socio-economic challenges, including abuse, which is part of the reason we chose Tombo as our site."
Training ranges from six months to three years, and Ncube says the education meets international standards. "This course is the same one people are doing in England or the US. The course material can also be found in some local universities."
Recruitment of new learners will start in July, although placements are limited. "We can not accept any more than 23 students into the new programme," she says.
Entry requirements are kept to a minimum, but Ncube says some basic computer knowledge is necessary. "It is difficult for people to understand networking unless they have some kind of basic training - even if it`s just simple computer know-how."
While some students will be offered internships after graduation, not all are guaranteed employment. "We simply can not absorb all the students. Those who are not placed will receive references from Cisco and from the academy," says Ncube.
Share
