Vodacom is set to empower 367 unemployed youths with certified diplomas in Information Technology Technical Support- as they prepare for graduation from the Vodacom Youth Academy between March and April this year. Founded in 2012, the academy focuses on developing ICT skills in youths for free. The objective is to train unemployed youths in ICT skills and also groom them into ICT entrepreneurs.
The youths are expected to assist with installation of IT equipments and provide instruction in high-end computer skills to Vodacom’s Teacher Training Centres and schools. The 367-youth graduating this year bring the number of graduates from this program to a total of 1,333.
Takalani Netshitenzhe, Chief Officer: Corporate Affairs for Vodacom Group commented: “Corporates such as Vodacom do not exist in a vacuum. We exist in societies with high levels of inequality and abject poverty and therefore it is incumbent upon us to partner the public sector and non-government organization and come up with innovative solutions to assist government to deal with some of the socio-economic problems plaguing our society.”
See also: UK-SA Tech Hub, Future Females Collaborate to Train SA Women Techpreneurs
She also said this initiative forms part of the organization’s commitment to help contribute towards the creation of skills development and job opportunities. “We are well aware that the training is not a silver bullet for the unemployment challenge, but it provides youth with a solid foundation upon which to build both their academic future and help increase their chances of getting employment because they have skills that are required by the digital economy and knowledge society.” She said.
The training is 24 months and it is theory-based, alongside practical and work-based placement training in A+, which is an entry level computer service certification; N+, mid level certification for network technicians; and 3G connectivity. The four categories the women participated in the academy include; end-user computing (NQF level 3), cell phone and device repair management (NQF level 3), IT Technical Support (NQF level 4) and networking support (NQF level 5).
Some of the graduating students’ duties consisted of; providing IT technical and data capturing support to schools and municipalities in their area. Additionally, for the first time since the inception of the ICT skills program, 32 IT entrepreneurs will now be graduating alongside the ICT skills graduates, with certification on business management & entrepreneurship.