Learnership programme equips youth with ICT skills

Three hundred unemployed individuals are currently participating in the Gijima learnership programme at MSC Business College in the city. The programme which deals with aspects of the fourth industrial action, robotics and coding was officially launched by Premier Stan Mathabatha at Jack Botes Hall on Tuesday.
It was learnt that the programme is supported by the Office of the Premier and conducted in partnership with shared responsibilities between the college and a Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Services company. When delivering a keynote address, Mathabatha reminded the audience that a year ago his office with the cooperation and support of municipalities coordinated a collection of profiles and resumes for the purpose of developing the Provincial Unemployed Youth Digital Database. He stated that the initiative managed to collect over 59 000 profiles and curriculum vitae and reiterated that all these were digitally converted with the assistance of the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (Leda) via the services of Lullaway.
Mathabatha said the programme aims to equip youth with adequate and requisite skills which will maximise their chances of either getting employment or becoming entrepreneurs in ICT and other related career paths. He added that the 300 youth from across the province have been offered a 12-months learnership by the Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority, a programme sponsored and run by Gijima and implemented by the college.

According to Mathabatha the programme also seeks to address job shortages the province have shed in the past labour quarters.
College Director Kenny Mathye indicated that they engaged different companies to fund learners. He further emphasised that companies that came on board would train learners in firefighting, assist with placements and help combine the health sector with the fourth industrial revolution. Mathye highlighted that learners are expected to conclude the programme on 13 March next year.
One of the beneficiaries, Winnie Masipa stressed that she saw the programme as an opportunity to help improve her knowledge and skills. She stated the learnership programmes were important because they familiarise one with latest trends and skills needed in a workplace. Masipa pleaded with other information technology (IT) companies to create job opportunities for youth, especially women, as the IT industry has always been known to be male-dominated.

Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za