Within our fast-growing IT industry, many people are faced with the dilemma of having to skill or re-skill themselves without having the necessary time available to do so. A recent merger between a formidable international IT recruitment and training company, and a local player in the IT industry, is set to have significant impact on the profession by creating the opportunity for local IT professionals to qualifying as an MCSE or MCSD in just two weeks!
The internationally recognised IT company, TSHUKUDU, have merged their South African branch with Cape based Datamatrix to form a globally recognised IT-training academy. This academy is set to train South Africans and International IT professionals and thus creates a unique venture in South Africa.
The intention is to provide quality MCSE and MCSD training for those who are IT professionals and now want the qualification to prove it. The learning process on the Fast Track course is enhanced through small groups with high instructor to student ratios (two instructors for a group of 12 students); training from a hotel which allows the delegates to live and learn in one convenient location; and Internationally recognised VUE testing facilities which allow for immediate testing and results.
Students are provided with the manuals and a study schedule at least one month in advance. They are required to work through the materials using the provided schedule as a guideline ensuring adequate preparation for the start of the training programme. The student`s progress is monitored by the training centre, and trainers are available to assist with any queries. Before the students arrive on the course, students are assessed to measure their current level of understanding.
The programme consists of a unique and productive combination of 25% theory and 75% practical. Every day consists of eight hours of training complemented by an optional four hour of class study. To facilitate these independent activities, the training room is available until 10 pm during weekdays. Students are also welcome to utilise all facilities on Saturdays & Sundays. The testing centre is open 6 days a week.
Furthermore, the programme is unique in that it is run from a 3 star hotel in Cape Town. Students can therefore be totally focussed on their training schedule. Students also have the added advantage of longer access to the training and testing facilities.
Since its` launch, the course has seen 53 students through its doors, and as a registered VUE testing centre, boasts a phenomenal 100% pass rate - testimony to the quality of training provided.
Carl Liebenberg, Managing Director of Datamatrix confirms that to date, most of the students have been recruited from local businesses looking to skill, incentivise and improve their staff complement, and from abroad - taking advantage of the favourable Rand and Cape Town as a tourist destination.
TSHUKUDU, a Dutch company, is also represented in Belgium, Switzerland and now South Africa. The company currently employees over 1000 IT professionals in the Netherlands, with plans to increase this figure to 2000 by the year 2000, and is scheduled for listing on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange during April 2001. TSHUKUDU has put together a unique formula. This formula will be continued by Datamatrix in South Africa.
Datamatrix, which has been in the market place since 1985, and has established itself through clients such as Community Chest, De Beers Marine, D&E, Norwich Health & Sea Harvest, now has an opportunity to increase its presence in the South African IT training market.
Share
