The charitable arm of South African telecom MTN, the MTN Foundation, has launched a new 12-month ICT learnership programme for young people in the country.
In partnership with independent UK telecom tower company Helios Towers and the development arm of business consulting firm Datacomb, the learnership is aimed at addressing youth unemployment in South Africa by upskilling students towards specialised ICT roles.
Focus areas of the year-long learnership include modern skills necessary to compete in global digital markets and drive digital transformation. Participants will receive both an academic grounding in ICT skills and practical workplace exposure.
“Beyond creating a direct route into employment, the learnership forms part of the MTN SA Foundation’s broader commitment to developing specialised digital talent across high‑demand ICT domains,” the Foundation said in an announcement.
“These include software development, cybersecurity, data science and analytics, artificial intelligence and Machine Learning, and Network and Systems Administration.”
MTN’s Digital Skills four Digital Jobs initiative, which this learnership falls under, has upskilled more than 3 746 young people and helped them develop ICT and digital acummen. It says this learnership is the next step, ensuring that young people are able to secure employment by gaining experience.
“This learnership is a testament to what can be achieved when committed partners work together with purpose. South Africa needs pathways that translate potential into opportunity, and we are proud to help young people step confidently into the digital future,” enthused Arthur Mukhuvha, MTN SA’s General Manager: MTN Foundation.
“Our commitment is to ensure that every programme we deliver contributes to national development, strengthens communities and supports a more inclusive, skilled and competitive South Africa.”
Source :www.htxt.co.za
