Page 18 - Edition 16.3_web- Final

IPP & Renewables

T-SYSTEMS UPSKILLS HIGH
SCHOOL LEARNERS AND
TEACHERS THROUGH THE
HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL ICT
ACADEMY INITIATIVE

“Our ICT Academy has
been offering practical
experience and
theoretical training
to South African
learners since 2003,
bridging the skills
gap and improving
the employability
of our candidates.
For this specific
initiative, we scaled
down our extensive
program offering to an
appropriate level for
high school learners
and made it relatable
to them. The aim is for
each learner to gain
skills and knowledge
they can use and
share with family and
friends,” says Marcus
Karuppan, T-Systems
ICT Academy Manager.

“Cyber security and programming are two general-purpose programming language technology life skills at an early stage. While
fundamental aspects of a digital world, and that is becoming increasingly popular for its future employability is an important goal,
we believe they are therefore critical life skills. applications in machine learning. our programs go beyond simply teaching
Everything is becoming software-based, children how to code. Through various
so skills in programming are essential for a T-Systems is also providing training for six initiatives we are providing opportunities for
wide variety of career paths. Similarly, cyber teachers from the three schools and 25 learners to not only improve their skills but
safety and security are important not only teachers from Katlehong Primary School. In also experience life in the workplace early on
for IT professionals but for everyone who partnership with CompTIA, these teachers and understand what career paths are open
uses an online device. Part of the course are completing an IT Fundamentals program to them. Education, skills development and
covers how to protect your information and with T-Systems covering all of the cost of life experiences are all critical components
identity online, as well as how to cope with study materials and training resources. of developing our country as a nation
and defend yourself from cyber bullying. We This course includes basic computer skills
are giving these learners a basic grounding in such as the Productivity Programs, and and uplifting our citizens,” Shirley Vrnjas,
necessary digital skills that prepares them for also cybersecurity and an introduction to Organisational Change Consultant at
a career in IT in the future,” he adds. programming in support and correlation to T-Systems, concludes.
the learners. The teachers will also be given
Cybersecurity modules that form part a voucher to complete the international IT The three-day course took place at the
of the course include the need for cyber Fundamentals exam in February 2020, as T-Systems ICT Academy in Johannesburg
security, how to recognise an attack, how well as preparation and a course refresher to from 3 to 5 December 2019. Each learner
to protect data and privacy, how to protect help equip them for the exam. The idea is to was awarded a certificate on the final day for
an organisation and an exploration of cyber equip the teachers with a broad introduction successfully completing the training.
security as a career path. The programming to prevalent IT topics to improve their own
skills component includes an introduction to knowledge and enable them to pass the skills T-Systems in South Africa:
HTML and how to create a basic website, an on to their learners. Communications Specialist
introduction to CSS and an introduction to Thamsanqa Malinga
programming in Java. It also incorporates an “Our aim is to build South Africa as a nation Tel: +27(11) 254 7400
introduction to Python, which is a versatile by upskilling students exposing them to Email: Thami.Malinga@t-systems.co.za
18