Youngsters are excited to gain skills
DIEPSLOOT – Last year the Wot-If Trust and Ericsson rolled out the first Digital Lab Program to teach children about game development and robotics.
The first group of youngsters from the Wot-If Trust has completed modules in game development and robotics thanks to a partnership with Ericsson.
At the beginning of last year, Ericsson together with Wot-if Trust rolled out the Digital Lab Program in Diepsloot with a group of children between the ages of 11 and 14. Now the children have graduated in the game development and robotics modules. The young participants have been through more than 30 hours of hands-on training and a graduation ceremony was held recently to mark the achievement.
The Digital Lab Program aims to provide an innovative education programme targeted at youth from all socio-economic backgrounds to support them in their first encounters with the world of programming and new technologies. The programme uses hands-on learning methodologies where instructors work in small groups to guide, encourage and help children to have fun while discovering and learning about basic programming, robotics and game development.
Gail Styger, the executive trustee of Wot-if Trust said, “The Digital Lab’s Program has offered young people from Diepsloot the opportunity to experience first hand, the exciting world of robotics and coding, and what the possibilities are for future careers in technology.”
Styger addeed that young people in Diepsloot rarely have access to digital devices in school and when they do, the impact is limited due to poor or no connectivity, no funds for data, inexperienced teachers and lack of integration of technology with learning and the curriculum. “Digital skills are at the centre of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and a prerequisite for children and young adults for future employment. We are so proud to have piloted this program with Ericsson and with the opportunity to continue the development of the digital skills for the young people in Diepsloot.”
Mohamed Essof, the country manager of Ericsson South Africa said, “As an organisation, Ericsson has always believed in using technology for good. Our Digital Lab Program helps students gain the skills they need to succeed in the future workplace. We are really proud of this initiative that is making a difference in the lives of our future generation in a resource-poor setting such as Diepsloot.”
Essof added that since the launch of the E-hub and Digital Lab Program, Ericsson has continued to support ICT [information and communications technology] development in underprivileged and under-resourced communities. “We are extremely proud of the 21 students who have graduated and trust this program has made a lasting impact on their development and exposure to ICT.”
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