M-IT puts a silver lining on the IT skills shortage

There is no doubt that the IT industry is one of the most exciting in the world. It is also a sector which, worldwide, is fraught with skills shortages. As government contributions continue to fall short of adding real solutions here, the industry itself has had to put its money where its mouth is and drive initiatives to address the growing problem.

M-IT, the managed services arm of IT giant EOH, has taken a ground-level approach with its Corporate Social Investment spend by targeting learners. Izane Cloete-Hamilton, Marketing and Bid Manager, M-IT, says the power of technology must be used to enhance the quality of learning today.

She says that in many schools in affluent areas parents have contributed liberally to creating an environment in which technology is integral to the education of their children. However, in most schools parents cannot afford this. The result is that the digital divide between the haves and the have-nots is widening.

Through a partnership with the University of Johannesburg, M-IT is kicking off 2009 with a bursary scheme for students enrolled for a National Diploma in Computer Systems Engineering. As part of the three-year course, successful candidates can look forward to a year of practical training at M-IT, during which they will receive a learnership allowance, and a further year as a fully-fledged trainee, receiving a company salary and benefits.

The company will initially extend bursaries to three students, for the full fee of their tuition and textbooks. Students must receive a minimum of 65% during their first semester to qualify.

“Rapid technological advances are propelling dramatic changes in the way computers are used to improve our lives. Students have the opportunity to join this exciting industry through the M-IT bursary scheme and qualify themselves for a rewarding and incredibly stimulating career where they will have multiple opportunities for many years to come,” says Debbie van Greunen, HR Manager at M-IT.

2008 was also a busy year for M-IT, and a very rewarding one for hundreds of school children across the country. Computers, stationery and much-needed IT services found their way into the following schools during the year: Al Azhar Institute (Maraisburg), PT Matlala Secondary (Polokwane), Thabang Primary School (Soweto), Naledi High School (Naledi), and Emmanuel's Daycare Centre (Orange Farm).

“M-IT recognises that IT is at the heart of our country's future growth and is as such committed to providing the infrastructure and services learners need to become skilled and productive. Although still very much in the planning stages, M-IT will also be turning its attention to KwaZulu-Natal next year, where we plan to build a computer laboratory at a school, from scratch,” Cloete-Hamilton concludes.

For more information about the M-IT bursary scheme, or to put forward an application, contact Debbie van Greunen, HR Manager, M-IT, on 011 386 6600, fax: 011 386 6800 or e-mail: learnerships@mit.co.za.