South Africa`s desperate need for skilled workers is highlighted by a huge unemployment crisis, caused by a massive unskilled workforce. Employers yearn for the capability to validate the abilities of those they interview and to hire employees confident with the latest technology, so that they can become productive as soon as possible.
Jobless people are eager to learn subjects that will get them not only practical skills and abilities but put them first in line in the job market. Current employees unfamiliar with technology are afraid of being left behind; and every year matriculants battle to find themselves a place in the New South Africa.
The only way to find some security in today`s business environment is to be technologically skilled - but how? Intersoft`s focus for the last 15 years has been to answer that question. Through the Microsoft IT Academy Programme in South Africa, it is possible to offer everyone cost-effective, high quality, internationally accredited IT training and help bridge the digital divide.
"We are very excited that Certiport has appointed Intersoft to manage the Microsoft IT Academy Programme in southern Africa," enthused Ronald Woolf, Sales and Marketing Director of Intersoft. "The whole idea is to upskill people with practical skills to become employable in the labour market."
Ashley de Klerk, Public Sector Director at Microsoft South Africa, agrees: "For the first time, the majority of disadvantaged students could access internationally accredited Microsoft skill sets at either no charge or at a nominal cost."
But what makes the Microsoft IT Academy Programme different to technology classes on MS Office currently available? It is different to the norm from three points of view: learning institutions, learners and the workforce.
To start with, academic institutions registered with the Department of Education can, for a modest annual fee, become a member - from schools to colleges, vocational trainings, technikons and universities. Membership includes Microsoft IT Academy Programme`s comprehensive curriculum; workforce development resources; online training courses; MS software for use in learning labs; a Student Online Campus with access to training, community, mentorship and other resources; a Faculty Resource centre that cuts down the teacher`s usual administration work; and many other tools for teachers and students. The content is upgraded as soon as the technology does, by experts around the globe. Most importantly, the content is designed in such a way that it crosses geographic and cultural boundaries. All IT Academy members receive discounts on selected internationally accredited exams, which are also mapped to SAQA standards and tried and tested marketing support. Discounted Microsoft approved training materials are also available from Intersoft.
From a learner`s perspective, they become skilled in all Microsoft Office programs, including e-mail and the Internet. All students have opportunities to practise their new skills. Their results are internationally recognised and validated, standardised across over 100 countries. The results go into an international repository, accessible via the Internet - the student can put this address on to their CVs for future employers to ratify. The student has a competitive-edge and is immediately employable.
The workforce benefits from a growing resource pool of highly skilled, appropriately educated employees able to meet business demands. This programme guarantees employers that they`ve employed the most proficient and highly skilled candidates; and reduces support costs by employing individuals with skills that can support the business` IT environment.
All in all, the programme benefits individual countries by strengthening local resources. South Africa will have the opportunity to compete more effectively on the world stage through global certification and standards, especially with the upcoming 2010 Soccer World Cup. Finally, it gives our citizens more freedom of choice, better skills and better opportunities.
Marie Taylor, Executive Vice-President of Certiport EMEA, concludes: "Your educators strive everyday to ready the next generation of skilled technology professions for a competitive and evolving workforce. The Microsoft IT Academy Programme can provide the tools, resources and support to make it possible."
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Intersoft is southern Africa`s leading distributor and provider of ITC material. The company represents John Wiley (including "...for Dummies", Wrox Press and Sybex imprints), O`Reilly, Microsoft Learning, McGraw Hill, Computer Step, Learning Resources (courseware, electronic assessments end e-learning) and Chorus Call (interactive long-distance communication). Intersoft publishes and distributes quality IT, professional reference and consumer textbooks, manuals and customised or aligned Learnership material and end-user and soft skills courseware for all user levels. Intersoft`s wide range of products makes it the perfect one-stop shop solutions provider. Intersoft is a CompTIA Gold Class material provider and a founding member of Proudly South African.
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