Telecommunications company Jasco ICT has taken steps towards helping universities address the skills gap and build the pool of qualified engineers in the field of telecoms in SA.
Precipitated by what Jasco calls a stark reality in SA, the skills shortage in engineering and telecommunications, the company says it has dedicated resources towards ensuring students in the telecoms and engineering sector receive the education and exposure they need to secure employment and contribute positively to the local economy. It has taken the role of a sponsor of the Centre of Excellence (COE) for Broadband Networks at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
The COEs are a national initiative that was started by national operator Telkom in conjunction with government in 1997, with the aim of developing skills in science, engineering and technology. The idea, says Jasco, is for corporates to provide sponsorship for students and the centres, and to offer selected students the opportunity to gain exposure via various platforms.
Practical skill set
Head of the COE for Broadband Networks at UCT, Neco Ventura, says the institute is an interdisciplinary centre for research into advanced networking systems, specialising in broadband networks and applications. “It helps students learn the skills they need to become employable and to address a trend in today's market away from simply box-dropping products, towards delivering end-to-end integrated solutions.”
COE students are also given the opportunity to present a paper in their particular field at the prestigious annual SA Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference, through which they can showcase their skills to potential employers.
Steyn says job creation in SA is a downward spiral. “Today's companies want to hire individuals with prior experience, so for students straight out of university, entering the job market can be difficult. We need to rectify this situation by enabling students to gain the experience they need while studying to hit the ground running when it comes time to enter the job market.”
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