Vodacom equips the youth with 21st century ICT skills

Worcester, Western Cape - In an effort to tackle unemployment and help improve quality learning, particularly in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Vodacom Foundation, has to-date trained a total of 972 unemployed young people across the country since the inception of the Vodacom Academy programme in 2013.

The country’s skills development and unemployment rate remains high and in an attempt to respond to this challenge within the 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 55 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 in Worcester, Western Province.

For this financial year ended 31 March 2017, a total of 367 youth across the country received much needed training and received work-experience in various government institutions. Importantly, 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 supports 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.”

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.
Top achiever Shayne May says when the opportunity to study arose for him, he grabbed it with both hands.

He says she always wanted to study but, but did not have money to go to school and had lost all hope.

“I joined a community organisation where they gave us learnership forms to study and l applied last year. They then called me to do tests in June, which I passed. I immediately started studying at Worcester Centre.”
He said it’s been tough but he made sure he worked hard. “I’m now reaping the fruits of my sleepless nights. Thanks to Vodacom for this opportunity.”