Vodacom a corporate connectivity and telecommunications provider, is set to teach coding to over 500 South African students. The ‘Code like a Girl’ program will open on the 24th of June and will run till the 5th of July 2019. They plan to leverage this project to bridge the gender digital divide in South Africa.
The program focuses on helping girls between the ages of 14-18 develop coding and valuable life skills. The program will boost their confidence in ICT and STEM subjects. It has trained over 755 young girls in Mozambique, Tanzania, DRC, Lesotho, and South Africa.
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During the training, students will have the opportunity to learn basic computer languages and development programs like; HTML, CSS, GitHub and Version control, Bootstrap, JavaScript and Basic Computer and Introduction to Coding. The skills development training will focus on coding, presentation and communication skills. By the end of the training, each girl will learn how to build a website and present the work to the rest of the class.
The girls will have access to platforms like Future Jobs Finder, who will give them information on career opportunities. 17 Vodacom Discover graduates will be the head facilitators whilst 64 Vodacom Youth Academy Alumni members will be the support facilitators. Vodacom will select volunteers to serve as mentors and also groom the students in educational and career growth.