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Smartcall launches ICT learnership programme

Sibahle Malinga
By Sibahle Malinga, ITWeb senior news journalist.
Johannesburg, 18 May 2018
The 40 student will be trained in skills including cellular, Internet connectivity services and mobile.
The 40 student will be trained in skills including cellular, Internet connectivity services and mobile.

Local telecoms firm Smartcall has introduced an ICT learnership programme for school leavers in Port Elizabeth, Nelspruit and Rustenburg.

Established in 1998, Smartcall specialises in providing prepaid cellular services and products to South African mobile users. The company says the learnership programme, which was launched recently, is part of its efforts to drive education by empowering individuals across SA.

Forty students between the ages of 18 and 29 years will be trained in ICT expertise, which includes skills in cellular; Internet connectivity services; mobile; wholesale and retail operations; among others.

Andre Lombard, new business development manager for Smartcall, notes the company is always looking for ways to empower local communities and education is a big focus for it in 2018.

"When looking at opportunities to invest back into communities and empower individuals this year, learnerships were something that really stood out for us.

"Supporting anything related to education is incredibly valuable as it provides a long-term solution to a big problem: especially in SA where so many scholars are not able to afford to further their studies beyond matric.

"When we chose to go ahead with the learnership programme, it was important to us that all learners who participated would have the opportunity to gain work experience and possible employment after completing their qualification.

"That said, when the learners complete their studies, they will have the opportunity for permanent employment by Smartcall if positions are available," says Lombard.

The 12-month learnership, which is run by an independent and accredited agency, will run for the duration of 12 months, will equip students who successfully complete it with a Sector Education and Training Authority certified N1 qualification.

Smartcall says that in future the project will be expanded to different towns across SA.

Last year the company rolled out numerous Smartcall distribution hubs to empower individuals in communities. Their objective was to train and empower local merchants to generate additional income through their participation in the Smartcall programme. This included selling Vodacom starter packs and airtime for all networks; selling handsets; training on RICA compliance, and starter pack distribution.

Since its inception, Smartcall says it has spent over R500 million on distribution infrastructure to support the participation of SMEs and the informal market in the mobile telecommunication industry.

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