In excess of 90 learners from schools in Gauteng and Cape Town graduated from a computer literacy training program at the end of 2015, which will strengthen their prospects in the challenging job market.
The learners were part of the three-year ADT Teach program, arranged jointly by ADT Security and the South African Education and Environment Project (SAEP). The first group of students enrolled for the ADT Teach program in 2009. 434 students have graduated from the program since its inception.
The curriculum was developed by the SAEP, and focuses on critical ICT skills such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, database and email. In addition, learners also received guidance in public speaking and confidence building as well as instruction on CV writing skills. Holiday programmes ran over three weeks during the July school break. ADT provided logistical support for the program.
“The program is aimed at providing learners (some of whom have never even touched a computer) with IT training and support skills. All graduates receive a nationally recognised IT Certificate in End-User Computing, as all ADT Teach educators are qualified National Qualifications Assessors,” said Adrian Good, ADT Security’s General Manager (Coastal Region).
He explained the program was conceptualised to address the dire lack of IT infrastructure and support in disadvantaged schools, which meant that schools and educators were unable to properly equip learners for the challenges of the computer-era.
The principal of one of the schools whose learners enrolled for ADT Teach said the students did not only learn IT skills, but valuable life skills as well.
“They were taught how to work as teams and how to act as a leader. It also kept them busy after hours, which reduced the likelihood of them being exposed to gangsterism (a real challenge in our community) and other criminal activities and substance abuse,” said Mr MS Dotwana, the acting principal of Intsebenziswano High School in Cape Town.
Two graduation ceremonies were held in December in each of the provinces, at which the top students in Cape Town and Johannesburg were honoured. The best performing students each received a laptop.
From Cape Town, the 52 graduates came from the Zisukhanyo, Sophumelela and Intsebenziswano Secondary schools. 39 learners graduated from the ADT Teach program in Gauteng, representing Allanridge and Tsosoloso ya Afrika Secondary schools as well as Umqhele Comprehensive School.
One of the students who was part of the first ADT Teach graduating class seven years ago addressed the ceremony in Cape Town. Okuhle Ngcwana has just completed his national diploma in Chemical Engineering, and told graduates how the ADT Teach program helped give him confidence to work on computers when he started his studies.
“I noted that there were students there who were using the computers for the first time in their lives, and that was when I felt very lucky that I got to attend the ADT program for basic computer literacy,” he said. “My computer skills lecturer noted that I was doing well in this subject to an extent that he even asked me if I can assist other students who were struggling with the subject.”
Snamile Biance Mabaso spoke at the Johannesburg graduation ceremony, and thanked ADT and SAEP for the opportunity provided to her and her fellow graduates.
“You have not only provided us with skills to simply operate a computer, but you all have provided us with a future that is filled with possibilities and opportunities, and for that we are truly grateful,” she said.
“We have learned a lot over the seven years since our first ADT Teach intake, and along with SAEP we are constantly looking at ways to make the program more efficient,” said Good. “We are also keeping track of our graduates once they leave the program to see how we can further support them.”
Graduates who are not enrolling for tertiary studies are encouraged to apply for work-placement and learnerships, via organization such as Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, a national work-placement organisation. The aim is to place as many ADT Teach graduates into opportunities that lead to study or employment as possible.
[Pictured are some of the Cape Town graduates, taken at the end of 2015.]
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