Almost 100 unemployed science (including computer science) graduates have undergone intensive IT and soft skills training by two Microsoft Certified Training Partners, to prepare them for new careers as mentors in community technology centres.
The graduates are part of a programme run by the Department of Science and Technology, and Microsoft, to drive greater technology skills in disadvantaged areas of the country.
Training took place at several centres across the country by LGIT Smart Solutions and its sister company BluePrint Future Skills Development. The training was conducted between March and November, and graduates have been placed at the various training centres across the country. They will commence work in January 2009, according to Natascha Prussen, LGIT's MD.
The trainees were split into two groups. One group will deal with the provision of additional IT skills to graduates, who will ultimately support and maintain a countrywide network of computer science centres. The other group will receive skills to drive improved communication, raise the public's understanding of science and technology, and develop and maintain a Web site that will market the centres.
“With a new understanding of technology and its offerings, graduates are now requesting new and exciting courses to add to their current skills portfolio,” added Prussen.
It was found in pre-assessments of all graduates that initial skill levels and competence in applications like Microsoft Word, Windows and Excel was lower than initially anticipated, and the training programme had to be structured accordingly. Microsoft agreed to pay half the cost of the programme.
David Ives, head of the developer and platform team at Microsoft South Africa, said the initiative was an extension of the company's existing initiatives as part of its commitment to develop skills for employability in this country.
“We want to help develop a culture of innovation through the power of ICT in the South African workforce, but the bottom line is to make our youth more employable.”
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