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As we move steadily into the digital age, the symbolic Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), we look forward to a complex yet exciting future. Indeed, at Africa Tikkun Services (ATS), we are committed to empowering youth, especially those from vulnerable communities, to make the most of this digital future.
Our collaboration with Naspers Labs, a social impact program of Naspers whose sole focus is solving youth unemployment through digital skills, represents a concrete and exciting step towards achieving this vision. The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed critical disparities such as access to information communication technology (ICT) and the digital skills necessary to lift individuals, their families and communities out of poverty. Partnering with organizations like Naspers Labs, we aim to provide youth empowerment with equal passion, digital skills and work experience for the connected world.
Our partnership with Naspers Labs has enabled over 700 young people with skills and certifications such as desktop technicians, data analysts, cyber security specialists, cloud specialists and developers to pursue these skills in an economy that is in high demand. Candidates obtain international certifications on various Microsoft, AWS and Oracle verticals.
The program has benefited youth in provinces such as Gauteng, Limpopo, North West, Eastern Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) and Western Cape. It is also committed to ensuring a minimum enrollment of 60% female and 5% disabled, recognizing the barriers women and disabled people face in accessing opportunities in the ICT sector.
With Naspers Labs’ expertise and passion for youth development, we’re in it for the long haul. In addition to completing the selected training courses, candidates are also supported to transition to employment opportunities. Below is the account of Mpho Mahwiting from Gauteng.
Mpho Mahwiting is a 19-year-old young Gauteng woman. She graduated from Kwena Molapo Comprehensive Farm School in 2019 and in 2020. She completed the Work Readiness Program at Tiku in Africa. For the job readiness program, her love for computers grew and her interest in learning more about them grew. “Africa Tikun informed me about the IT program in July and asked if I was interested and I immediately agreed because of my interest,” says Mpho.
Next, she went for an interview and then started the program in October. Mpo said she had no previous work experience before joining the program. Microsoft certification and ICT training will help her launch into almost any field in the tech industry, she says. She also believes that it is a great way to start a career in the world of information technology (IT), computer science and programming. “It enhanced my love for computers, network systems and working with people. It’s influencing my life to be able to handle devices like disk drives and printers,” she added.
She said she then learned how IP addresses are assigned and acquired problem-solving skills using computer resources efficiently. “The program has advanced my technology skills and knowledge to a level I never thought possible. This will be an opportunity for me to improve my family’s standard of living, including mine,” she concluded.
Mpho’s story is one of many that demonstrate the tangible impact and positive results of the Africa Tikun Service and Naspers Labs partnership.
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