With the dawn of the digital era upon us, President Cyril Ramaphosa has on numerous occasions highlighted the dire need for more concerted efforts for ICT skills development that will not only lead to more employment but also catapult the country as a competitive player in the global digital economy. Various industry players continuously emphasize the need for a comprehensive skills development programme, which would be a primary engine of economic growth as infrastructure development alone cannot effectively enhance economic competitiveness, a skills imperative still exists.
Another added layer to the skills challenge is that although the number of graduates is increasing year-on-year, new industry entrants still lack the hands-on experience and industry-relevant competencies required to excel in the job market. This gap is particularly a thorn in emerging fields such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, data analytics, and software development. The disparity between academic training and real-world application remains a barrier to employment for many ICT graduates, aggravating youth unemployment and slowing national digital transformation.
Rising up to this challenge, the upcoming Public Sector ICT Forum Bridging Academia and Industry: ICT Skills Development for Future ICT Leaders event aims to equip final-year ICT students with both practical and soft skills and insights needed to smoothly transition into the workforce. It will feature expert insights, panels, and interactive sessions focused on real-world ICT applications, industry best practices, and personal development stories and strategies. The students who attend will gain exposure to the tools, platforms, and work environments they are likely to encounter in professional settings, with opportunities to engage directly with industry leaders and mentors.
Over and above the day’s learnings, they will also be offered a chance to enrol in the FREE Alibaba Cloud ACT81002 Basic Products Training Programme, which aims to equip African students with essential cloud computing skills, enhancing their employability and providing valuable hands-on experience in cloud technologies.
Why should you attend?
Learn how to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world industry expectations
Get a chance to enrol in the FREE Alibaba Cloud ACT81002 Basic Products Training Programme
Learn about the critical skills needed to thrive in the ICT sector
Gain valuable insights on how to transition into the workplace and contribute to the future of the industry
Networking with industry leaders, practitioners and mentors
Who should attend?
Public Sector ICT Forum Bridging Academia and Industry: ICT Skills Development for Future ICT Leaders is free to attend for any final-year and postgraduate students in the following fields:
Data Science; Computer Science; and Advanced Diploma in Information and Communications Technology Application Development.
Agenda
PSICT Forum welcome remarks
Mothibi Ramusi, chief information officer, National Lotteries Commission
Keynote address: Bridging the gap: Equipping South Africa’s youth with skills for the job market in the digital age
Event Sponsor
About BCX
At BCX, we pride ourselves on being one of the leading South African end-to-end digital partners for corporates and enterprises across the African continent, within the Private and Public Sector. As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Telkom Group, we aim to become the number 1 digital partner of choice for clients within our chosen markets.
BCX drives business results by helping our clients place their customer at the heart of their organisations. Enabled by our technological capabilities such as converged communications, cloud services, industry solutions, cyber security and digital edge, BCX will innovate solutions to deliver exceptional value through better experiences along the value chain.
To do this we combine local market understanding and deep industry expertise with some of the world’s most advanced Information and Communication Technology, together with a tireless commitment to make your unique digital journey as seamless as possible.
For more information, please visit www.bcx.co.za
