THE Blue Roof Life Space in Wentworth buzzed with excitement on August 23 as 70 Durban South residents celebrated their graduation from the Engen Community Computer School. This event marked the graduation of the second cohort of 2024, showcasing the ongoing success and transformative impact of the school.

Also read: Computer programme empowers more than 70 youth in South Durban community

The ceremony was a proud moment for the graduates, their families and the community, reflecting the school’s mission to uplift South Durban through education.

Since its inception in 2009, the Engen Community Computer School has empowered 3 119 Durban South residents with essential computer skills, greatly enhancing their job prospects.

Offering a free basic computer skills qualification, the programme has become a beacon of hope for many in the region.

The programme’s success is evident, with 40% of the 2023 graduates securing employment or furthering their education through acceptance into higher learning institutions or learnerships.

Sheryl Casalis, the course convener and training director, praised the programme’s positive impact, stating, “The Engen Community Computer School training makes a tangible difference to the attitudes of those who attend. Many arrive feeling hopeless, not believing they can learn how to use a computer. They leave, not only with greater confidence but also with a skill that opens job opportunities that were previously out of reach.”

Engen’s CSI manager Olwethu Mdabula attended the ceremony to congratulate the graduates and reiterated Engen’s commitment to community upskilling. “We believe that continuous community upskilling is key to ensuring resilience and readiness in today’s ever-changing and demanding digital world,” Mdabula said.

The Engen Community Computer School launched its final free course of the year on August 26, welcoming 80 new learners for comprehensive computer skills training. In addition, a year-long Saturday course, tailored for employed individuals seeking to enhance their skills, began on August 17. This course meets every Saturday from 08:00 to 12:00, covering the same content as the four-month midweek sessions.

The school encourages those interested in upskilling to enrol in courses starting in early 2025, which will provide more opportunities for personal and professional development.

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