It is notable that SA is gradually becoming one of the preferred countries for business process outsourcing, especially in the areas of call and contact centres.
This is according to Oupa Mopaki, CEO of the Information Systems, Electronics and Telecommunications Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (Isett Seta). He says the skills acquired in ICT learnership programmes would be ideal for this environment.
According to Mopaki, Isett Seta's approach towards the development of skills in the ICT sector involves what it refers to as the first economy and the second economy.
“In the first economy, which is mainly the knowledge economy, there is a dire need for high-level skills such as business analysis, project management, research and development,” he says.
In addition, “entrepreneurial skills are needed to collaborate with and complement researchers and developers, to move newly-invented ICT products and services into the commercial world.” To achieve this objective, says Mopaki, the availability of seed capital is vital, especially for new venture creation.
This would also require the establishment of factories for mass production and service or business establishments to provide ICT services and products to the local and international market, he adds.
“In the second economy, we are confronted with the big question of unskilled people who are keen to join the world of work - it is estimated there are eight million unemployed people in SA.” To exacerbate the problem, new matriculants enter the job market every year because they are unable to make it through to tertiary institutions, he adds.
It is for this reason that learnership programmes are relevant, and will continue to be in the distant future, he believes.
“We need to continually build a pool of qualified and skilled people to enhance the chances of unemployed people taking advantage of current and future employment opportunities.” Mopaki says SA needs to build skills since its economy is on a steady growth path, and also because it's hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
According to Mopaki, information at Seta's disposal indicates there are approximately 200 000 unemployed graduates in the country. “If half the number of all these graduates could be drawn into internships and structured employment in the ICT sector, they could become ICT practitioners and in some instances ICT professionals and experts. We know this is possible,” he concludes.
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