Fujitsu's first Learning Through Experience entrepreneurship programme, a nine-month hands-on course started in June last year and based on Fujitsu's successful UK model, has succeeded in its aim of coaching young people in entrepreneurial skills.
Designed to teach students about the world of business, the hands-on programme highlights how the use of today's technology is a vital foundation in implementing successful business practices.
And for today's Valentine's Day, the students launched another project, making and selling moulded chocolates, cookies, gift hampers and custom bead necklaces.
This was another project aimed at giving the students on-the-job entrepreneurial experience, enabling them to apply what they have learnt.
The students, from Alexandra Township School and King Edward's School, have been meeting at Fujitsu for two hours each week. Every week the session starts with 20 minutes multilevel IT tutoring where they explore the technology they will need in order to run a successful business.
The students formed a company, board of directors and assigned support roles.
Fujitsu personnel guide the decision-making process, equipping the students with valuable skills.
"As the world's second largest IT solutions provider," says Nikki Carnegie-Floyd, head of marketing and alliances, "Fujitsu has ensured that the students have access to the latest technology and have engaged all Fujitsu staff in being part of the learning process."
Carnegie-Floyd founded the Fujitsu programme in South Africa after acting as a business advisor in a similar programme in the UK.
"When the students enter higher education and eventually the business world, good multilevel IT skills are a must," she says. "The programme aims to develop students into future business people who will contribute to South Africa's business community."
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Fujitsu Services is one of the leading IT services companies in Europe, Middle East and Africa. It has an annual turnover of lb1.99 billion (EUR2.86 billion), employs 15 200 people and operates in over 20 countries. It designs, builds and operates IT systems and services for customers in the financial services, telecom, retail, utilities and government markets. Its core strength is the delivery of IT infrastructure management and outsourcing across desktop, networking and data centre environments, together with a full range of related services, from infrastructure consulting through integration and deployment.
Headquartered in London, Fujitsu Services is the European-centred IT services arm of the Fujitsu Group. The Fujitsu Group is a US$44.5 billion (EUR34 billion) leader in the provision of IT systems and services for the global marketplace.
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