Microsoft SA and software developer Continuum have handed over risk compliance and corporate governance software to tertiary institutions in SA to support undergraduates studying in the field.
Microsoft announced in Bryanston yesterday that 2 000 software licences worth R10 million had been made available.
The company said the initiative was aimed at closing the gap between the skills required by businesses and the skills students have when they graduate.
"Graduates still need a year, to a year-and-a-half of an internship before they are ready for work," said Danny Naidoo, Microsoft SA`s director of developer and platform groups.
He expressed the hope that the venture would produce people ready to enter the workplace as soon as they graduated.
Continuum MD Kevin Potter added the initiative would provide skills and tools so that students can gain experience in both the theoretical and practical environments.
Daleen du Toit, head of Absa`s compliance business unit, highlighted the importance of regulatory compliance and the need for skilled regulatory compliant professionals.
"If you think compliance is expensive, then try non-compliance, as fines can reach R100 million or 30 years in prison," she said.
"There are not a lot of training courses in regulatory compliance available and there is a skills shortage, so there is a crying need for compliance training."
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