Vodacom empowers KZN youth with ICT skills training

The country’s skills development and unemployment rate remains stubbornly high and in an attempt to help address this challenge within the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, Vodacom Foundation has partnered with the Cisco, Mict-Seta, Independent Development Trust on a drive to help empower unemployed youth with skills training and learnership placement.

The skills training seeks to equip the youth with relevant ICT skills to assist with the installation of IT equipment as well as provide instruction in high-end computer skills. As part of the initiative the youth received skills training in A+, N+ and 3G connectivity, CCNA and IT security.

On Thursday, a total of 35 youth received SAQA accredited National Certificates in IT support level 4 and Cisco certified network administration certificate level 5 from Mict-Seta and the Department of Higher Education during a graduation ceremony held at the Southern Sun Hotel, Elangeni Maharani in KwaZulu Natal.

This financial year end a total of 367 youth received training across the country, all the 367 youth received work-experience in various government institutions and 25% of the youth have now secured permanent employment. 

Speaking on behalf of Vodacom, Executive Head for Vodacom Foundation, Mthobeli Tengimfene said: “This is Vodacom’s contribution towards development of skills that support job creation for unemployed youth.

“Besides our core business, we are also committed to doing what we can to stimulate skills development and job creation within the ICT sector. Through the ICT skills training, we are now able to fulfil this commitment and also play an active role in the creation of job opportunities for young people.”

To date, a total of 972 unemployed young people were trained across the country since the inception of the programme in 2013.

Following the training, some of the youth will be able to support the network of schools connected via the Vodacom Mobile Education programme as well as engage in reselling of Vodacom products and the developing of mobile applications or mobile apps.