Unemployed graduates are receiving intensive IT training to improve their job prospects and prepare them for the job market.
The Department of Science and Technology and Microsoft are running the programme, through training centres across the country. Microsoft-certified training partners, LGIT Smart Solutions and BluePrint Future Skills Development, along with the Siyazithanda Project, are involved in the training of these graduates.
The training is split into two areas - one set of training courses has been designed to provide graduates with additional IT skills to help them support and maintain a countrywide network of computer science centres.
The other set of training is geared towards providing 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.
Siphokazi Koyana, director of the Siyazithanda Project, points out that the large number of unemployed graduates is overwhelming. “We have trained between 95-100 graduates at this point. But when we sent out adverts about the programme, we received over 1 000 responses from around the country. We were very surprised by that actually.”
Koyana notes the programme gives graduates access to skills to which they wouldn't otherwise have access. “Most of them are BSC graduates and we are giving them something more than BSC certificate. We are giving them certain other skills they need for work. Basic skills they can use at work.
“The initiative allows students to access the latest computer technologies and receive higher levels of professional ICT training, making them more employable. We'll also provide courses and certification to the unemployed, people with disabilities and older workers.”
Ensuring these graduates receive employment is another challenge, says Koyana. “We will be introducing a job placement programme for next year, but we are still looking for partners to work with on that, to ensure these graduates are not lost again.”
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