Partnership to Enhance ICT Skills at Ekurhuleni East TVET College
Springs – Ekurhuleni East TVET College has entered a partnership with WeThinkCode to provide opportunities for 80 students at the Artisan and Skills Development Center.
This initiative was conceived by Jacob Molefe, the acting center manager, who believes in building capacity to mitigate the skills gap in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.
“This collaboration is pivotal in bridging that divide. By exposing students to crucial skills, we aim to enhance their employability; many will even venture into entrepreneurship,” stated Molefe.
Founded in 2015, WeThinkCode’s mission is to address the digital skills shortfall by cultivating 100,000 coders across Africa within the next decade.
Kelebogile Motlhamme, director of operations at WeThinkCode, urges students to foster innovation and fully engage with the coding program. Photo: Xoliswa Kali
According to Kelebogile Motlhamme, WeThinkCode’s director of operations, this partnership enables the private sector to extend its outreach through a public institution.
“Students will experience an innovative training methodology, focusing on peer-to-peer and self-directed learning prior to engaging with performance administrators,” she elaborated.
The emphasis on work readiness is paramount. “We aim to ensure that graduates are prepared for the workforce immediately upon completing the program,” Motlhamme emphasized.
Over a span of 16 months, students will master software development and coding, thereby achieving an NQF6 qualification. In the initial eight months, the students will delve into foundational programming and software design patterns, starting with Python and transitioning to Java.
The subsequent eight months are dedicated to brownfields, which involve developing applications that either enhance existing systems or create new integrations, along with specialized electives.
WeThinkCode boasts an impressive track record, having graduated over 1,800 software developers, with more than 70% successfully placed in prominent South African enterprises.
Since its establishment, WeThinkCode has fostered robust talent pipelines for tech-forward companies across various sectors, including finance, consulting, and telecommunications, and continues to expand its influence.
The overarching objective is to transform South Africa from a technology-consuming nation into a leading creator of digital innovations.
Source link: Citizen.co.za.
