IT professionals at classroom level, a first in Africa

Three Grade 11 learners from Parklands College in Cape Town, have become the first Africans to qualify as Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs), while still at school. Richard Armstrong, Justin Abrahamse and Kieran Whyte obtained MCP status after completing the six month course as part of the school`s technology curriculum.

"The MCP qualification opens doors for learners to develop their IT skills at a young age, enabling them to work anywhere in the world as qualified Microsoft professionals," says Richard Knaggs, director of technology at Parklands College. "With the global workplace changing and increasing demands set for today`s workforce, it is very encouraging to see that while still at school, children can take control of developing their careers."

Parklands College re-invented itself in 1998 by focussing on delivering high-tech education. It became the first private school in the Western Cape to register for the Microsoft`s Authorised Academic Training Program (AATP), in the same year. This has enabled its senior students to equip themselves for careers in the technology industry by taking the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) course.

"The IT skills shortage is a challenge for South Africa and by addressing it at school level, we will go a long way in nurturing an interest in IT and closing the gap," says Leanne Steer, academic programmes manager at Microsoft South Africa. "Through Microsoft`s AATP, Parklands is well attuned to the demands of the high-tech future, preparing children for careers in the Digital Age."