Vodacom has committed to invest more than R10 million in the 2008 Graduate Programme for Females in Technology (GPFT).
The mobile operator made the announcement this morning, on the first day of the programme. It comes amid an uptake of a record number of candidates this year, Vodacom says in a media statement.
This year, the 30 new candidates from across the country - who have all completed either a BSc or a BCom degree in mathematics, science, engineering or IT - begin to work and obtain hands-on experience at Vodacom.
The GPFT is a three-year programme that provides a development opportunity for female graduates from non-telecommunications technical fields to move into the telecoms arena, says Vodacom.
The programme is designed to develop a wide range of technical understanding, engineering know-how and professional skills that are needed to contribute effectively to the design, development and maintenance of mobile telecommunication systems.
"By experiencing life inside SA's leading cellular network, the candidates will develop many new skills and qualities, thereby standing them in good stead for the future," the company says.
"Vodacom has acknowledged a shortage of women within the ICT sector and this programme has been designed by Vodacom to increase the number of women entering this sector," says Vodacom Group chief HR officer Lungi Ndlovu.
The success of this programme has seen the number of candidates increase from 10 to 30 candidates for the 2008 intake, she says.
The programme is in its third year, and evaluations of 2009 applications begin on 6 June. Of the first 20 candidates who entered the programme, 18 are now permanently employed at Vodacom in its various technical divisions, the company says.
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