Bytes People Solutions partnership provides IT certification for Free State youth

Bytes People Solutions has proved just how well community-based skills development can work. The company partnered with the Office of the Premier of the Free State, the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA), and the Media, Advertising, Information and Communications Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT Seta) to provide entry-level technology training for a group of young men and women in Harrismith.

The 31 learners, aged between 18 and 35, all completed the NQF Level 4 learnerships, earning the qualification IT Technical Support.

“The aim of the partnership was to equip young people in the area with IT skills and knowledge, prepare them for the workplace and secure employment within the provincial and local government as well as the private sector,” says Alwyn van der Linde, business unit executive, skills development, Bytes People Solutions.

“Local organisations played a valuable role in providing workplace experience for the learners while they were completing their learnerships. This is important as they received a mix of theoretical and practical training, which helped to ensure they would be ready to work once they received their certificate. One of the learners now works at his former high school.”

The learnership, which takes 12 months to complete, is a structured learning programme comprising several components. Fundamental skills include elements like being part of a team, conducting meetings, writing skills and telephone skills. The technical skills component introduces learners to computer hardware, operating systems, networks and help desk technology.

Once training in these skills has been completed, in the first five months of the learnership, the learners spend a further seven months working and gaining on-the-job experience in helpdesk support, logistics, IT technician support and hardware, and assembly maintenance.

“It's a project that has served to massively improve these people's lives and it shows what can be achieved when government, the private sector and local communities work together and put in the effort required to train unskilled individuals. It's the kind of training that can provide young men and women with a decent job and helps to eradicate unemployment and poverty among the youth,” says Dr Madelise Grobler.

Bytes People Solutions secured work experience for each participant. Participating organisations had access to trained and talented individuals, and had the opportunity to provide them with employment once the learnerships were completed.

The infrastructure, equipment, training costs and monthly allowances for the learners were all sponsored by the partners. The training was run from an IT hub set up at the old Harrismith Commando building. To join the programme, participants were nominated from different wards. After interviews and assessments, those who displayed the most potential were selected.

“Many of the learners found employment immediately after training,” says Van der Linde. “Others were helped to find employment through agencies. The programme opens up many opportunities for them, which they would not have had previously. Because the programme was such a success, it will run again this year.”