The IT sector`s training authority, the ISETT SETA, has officially launched its Axiz Learnership Programme, dedicated to training 50 ICT professionals.
The 12-month programme allows learners the opportunity to attain a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level five qualification termed the National Certificate in Information Technology: Systems Support Engineering.
To be trained by training firm IT Intellect at the offices of distribution firm Axiz in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, the learners will shadow people in many different Axiz departments. "The learners will be able to see every facet of the business," says Mike Dix, Axiz business development manager.
Dix adds that the training gives learners the opportunity to gain valuable practical experience, and that while they work they will complete assignments that will be evaluated.
"The 50 learners were selected out of 3 500 applicants," notes Roy Pursey, Rivonia branch manager for IT Intellect.
The programme commenced two months ago, and the graduation ceremony for successful learners will take place at the end of 2006.
Candidates for the placement in the learnership programme had to be unemployed, between the ages of 18 and 25, and must have already held at least NQF level four, N+ or A+ qualification.
One of the learners, Reginald Sikeko, explains that the programme involves the designing of networks, many areas in technical development, and also learning leadership and marketing skills.
"What we have learnt in the past two months is more valuable than anything before this - we`re being taught not only to be students but also to be innovators," he states.
"The SETA is granting Axiz R80 000 per learner per year, of which 100% of the amount will be used for the learnership itself," Keith Anderson, GM at Axiz, said in an earlier statement.
ISETT SETA CEO Oupa Mopaki says SA produces 350 000 matriculants each year, of which only 7% are able to study at university. "And only a few of those go into the ICT sector."
Programmes like this are designed to train people to become ICT professionals even if they do not have the means to go to university, he adds.
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