Johannesburg, 10 Jan 2018
A new year means an opportunity to develop your skills further - or to plan post-matric, for school leavers. When considering how to acquire the right qualification for your chosen career, there are several things that should guide your decision. Not everyone is able to attend university for a variety of reasons, but this doesn't mean that you can't study further in your chosen field.
Juanie Newby, Director, CTU Training Solutions, says: "There's a plethora of private institutions that enable learners to qualify in their field of choice. Often these providers are able to offer smaller classes, individualised attention and a greater understanding of the chosen subject matter. It's also important to consider whether the learning institute that you choose offers a combination of theory and practical training on the subject matter."
Skills that matter
If you look at the top jobs for 2018, various careers in the IT field feature unanimously. Over and above a career in IT, there are very few jobs out there that don't require some basic degree of IT knowledge, says Newby. "The impact of technology on the world around us is undeniable and training providers have to keep pace in terms of subject matter, but also in how they deliver that knowledge to this new generation of learners."
Learners' needs are changing, technology is evolving, skills are different, automation is altering processes, and globalisation is expanding our reach. Our ability to adapt and prepare for change often defines our success. While technology is helping lead innovation, developing soft skills is just as necessary to stay relevant, communicate value and supplement those important technical skills. Soft skills such as emotional intelligence, collaboration and negotiation are growing more important as organisations become more global and diverse.
Newby lists some of the top growing technologies that are guiding skills requirements in the 4th industrial revolution, which is being driven by the increasing demand for smarter Internet of things solutions:
* Microbotics;
* Megatronics;
* Artificial intelligence;
* Electronics and code;
* Fibre optics;
* Drones;
* IOT; and
* Big data.
"As automation advances and increases, skills are going to have to change so that people can still contribute to the automated workplace," she says. And the experts agree. A quick Google search reveals that software developers, computer systems analysts and data analysts will be the top three skills most in demand by 2025.
Newby says: "The early adoption and development of technological skills are pivotal to the individual's success when entering the workplace." The good news is that today's children have IT skills that far outpace those of their parents. They've grown up using smartphones and playing computer games, and the majority of schools offer some sort of IT skills training. In addition, the use of computer-assisted learning is commonplace at school level, which means that the majority of learners have some degree of IT skills when they leave school.
Choosing a training institution
* Check the institution's accreditations.
* Is the content practical?
* Do the content and qualification follow a vocational route?
* Does the qualification include international certification?
* What are the sizes of the class?
* What is the training methodology used to deliver skills and is it suited to your learning style?
Newby says: "Look for a training provider that offers a variety of innovative solutions and services in education to enable modern learning in the new digital world. First prize would be somewhere that helps students move from campus to corporate."
Some advice for learners
Learners from CTU Training Solutions share some advice for those wishing to study further in 2018:
Should you not meet the requirements in the field that you want to study in at university, CTU is a great option to consider. There is also no need to feel ashamed for applying at a college. I believe colleges are progressing very quickly in the world. - Candice
Know what career you want. Do research to have more information about it so that you can make the right choice of course and place to study. - Sisipho
Keep your options open. You should do more research than you think you should do. - Aadelah
Don't push your child to study something at university they don't want to do (e.g. Engineering). Plenty of other options are available at private colleges. - anonymous
Don't look at the price. Look at the quality. I would never have got the same attention at a university. Worth it in the end. - Megan
Take your time in deciding on what you want to study and do not rush into a course that you will lose interest in half way through the year. - Zander
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