Nkomfe highlights IT training

The Gauteng Department of Finance will contribute R1.82 billion to decent employment through key projects in IT infrastructure.

During his budget speech this week, MEC Mandla Nkomfe said this figure would be allocated over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework period.

“We have structured our work this financial year in line with government's programme of action, which strongly focused on job creation.”

He added that this will encompass key projects in ICT infrastructure delivery via the Gauteng Link Project, increasing access to jobs in the Gauteng provincial government.

The Gauteng Link programme represents Gauteng's vision of developing the necessary infrastructure that will ensure Internet connectivity and access are made easier for communities and rural development. It essentially promises affordable broadband capacity.

As part of the department's plan to accelerate the implementation of the Gauteng Online Schools Project, it will train 1 200 IT technicians and deploy them to schools addressed by the project in the province. These technicians will address technical problems and enhance the operational efficiency of the system.

The Gauteng Online Schools Project is an initiative to build a province-wide school computer network. It aims to create 25-seat computer labs with Internet and e-mail capabilities at all public schools in the province, to be used for curriculum delivery.

The department also said it has set aside R300 000 this financial year to implement a six-month experiential training programme that will enable young graduates across the province to gain hands-on experience in different areas of the department's work.

“To ensure that we reach as many graduates as possible in the province, we have partnered with the Vaal University of Technology, Tshwane University of Technology and the University of Johannesburg, and eight Further Education and Training Colleges in Gauteng in this initiative.”

Nkomfe also said the department will strengthen measures to deal decisively with fraud and corruption through the use of IT.

“Working together with other departments, we will respond to the need to ensure that all people in SA feel and are safe, and also that indeed our public service is efficient, effective and development-oriented.”

The MEC said the department is allocating R115 million to these outcomes.

“Our interventions will include implementing IT forensics (digital evidence management) and conducting fraud detection reviews.”

He also said the quality of service delivery will be improved and access to government services enhanced.

“Our security operations centre will ensure a stable ICT environment and eliminate threats so that our data is well protected and transactions occur in a secure environment.”