Since 2003, T-Systems in South Africa has continually invested R3.5 million annually towards the Academy and also uses the ICT Academy graduates as one of the feeders to their Internship Programme. The programme has enrolled more than 250 interns, of which 90% have been employed full-time by the company. For those that have not gained permanent employment within T-Systems, the company’s learnership programme has assisted in finding positions for these interns at other prominent organisations.
SAP has been a long-standing partner of the CIDA ICT Academy in partnership with T-Systems. The software giant currently offers Business One training and certification to the SAP students. “We see the Academy as a vital platform to promote relevant ICT skills for the African market,” says Siphiwe Sibanda, HR Director of SAP Africa. “We have invested more than R8 million in the Academy since its inception and have made a contribution of R500 000 towards the development of the new ICT Academy here in Lyndhurst.”
However, in order to run a successful training
programme such as the ICT Academy and learnership, it is important to remain abreast of what business requires from its technology partners and employees, and where the globe is heading with regards to ICT advancements.
As a result, the campus features cutting- edge training resources which includes 12
84 Management Today | May 2012
computer labs with well over R10 million worth of equipment. “It is important that our students and interns are equipped with current training to ensure that they are sought-after and highly employable,” adds Van der Walt-Korsten.
Citizenship lead at Microsoft South Africa,
Vis Naidoo, echoes this, “We are delighted with the work these institutions do to ready young people for the job market. In broad, our citizenship programme at Microsoft is devoted to ultimately prepare students to become productive members of society and to contribute to the South African economy.”
Administrative costs are also kept low as students – who only pay 7% of what they would pay at similar institutions – are expected to contribute to the running of the campus, earning credits toward their final mark. These include computer maintenance, administrative work, marketing, market research and even cleaning and cooking.
The ICT Academy curriculum comprises of 70% theoretical training and 30% learnership or workplace practical training where the students are placed at various ICT organisations. Furthermore, the Academy offers softer skills training to overcome communication and cultural challenges.
The high standard of learning and credibility of the ICT Academy has also been recognised by the Media, Advertising, Information
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