Vodacom has chosen 23 new graduates to participate in its Discover 2010 programme aimed at bringing new talent into the company.
Since 2005, SA's largest cellular provider has hired 58 women from the graduate programme, which started out as a springboard for women in technology. Another 22 women are expected to complete the programme by the end of this year.
The company has spent R26 million to train up the skills it plans to hire once the graduates have finished the training programme. The company has now chosen the next set of former students to begin the training, and it has added space for men to join.
This year's course began at the beginning of this month and, for the duration of the programme, students will be given the opportunity to learn the ropes in engineering, ICT, billing or commercial business analysis.
With Vodacom's international parent, Vodafone, skills development will include experience mentorship from some of the globe's telecoms specialists. Vodacom says graduates will earn a salary while they are learning.
“Discover programme students who excel stand the chance of being offered permanent employment,” says Lungi Ndlovu, chief human resources officer of the Vodacom Group.
She says the programme was intended to invest in much needed ICT skills, specifically considering the country has a deficit in qualified technology workers.
“We understand that the shortage in ICT skills training in the country cannot be seen in isolation from our own business objectives. This is why we have made a conscious decision to offer students this exciting opportunity to fulfil their career ambitions with one of SA's most dynamic companies,” she notes.
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