SA YOUTH SAVOUR SUCCESS: SAMSUNG PARTNERS WITH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO SUCCESSFULLY SUPPORT YOUTH ACROSS SOUTH AFRICA
disadvantaged youth. Working together with like-minded institutions such as the University of the Western Cape, Tshimologong, EASTC and Ocule IT we can dedicate the necessary resources and time to create endless possibilities.
“South Africa now, more than ever needs to equip the youth
Samsung will remain steadfastly committed to the idea of
to seize the opportunities that lie in the ICT sector. Samsung
real empowerment and education that changes lives,” says
looks forward to working with Government and educational
Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation Group and
institutions to empower the leaders of tomorrow and we will,
Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa.
therefore, continue to seek out the avenues that will lead to In addition, EASTC is hosting the 24-month MERSETA accredited
success” – Hlubi Shivanda
Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Apprenticeship, and Ocule Samsung South Africa’s mission is to empower youth in the
IT is hosting the 12-month MICTSETA accredited Electronics
ICT sector. Thus far, the brand has produced incredible
learnership. Overall, the programme benefits 40 unemployed
results since the launch of its Equity Equivalent Investment
black youth per annum. Furthermore, the Technician
Programme (“EEIP”) a year ago.
programme commenced on the first of June 2020, despite the national lock down and the challenges that came with it. The
Software development skills are highly sought-after in the
Technician programme is a fully funded bursary programme
digital economy, which is why Samsung considers it as an
that provides for tuition, equipment and stipends. In essence,
important part of its educational initiatives. Programme
it is a comprehensive integrated skills development investment
partners for software development include the University of
programme that prioritises the delivery of an integrated holistic
the Western Cape (UWC) and Tshimologong Digital Precinct.
package of personal, technical, entrepreneurial and business
A further capacity building programme is the training and
skills, aligned to meet the needs of the country’s economic
development of electronics, refrigeration and air-conditioning
development strategies.
technicians. Partners here include Ekurhuleni Artisans and Skills Training Centre (“EASTC”) and Ocule IT in KZN. Together,
SUCCESS STORIES
the initiatives are harnessing the power of technology to train
Throughout these ongoing programmes, there have been many
and inspire young people to pursue their ambitions.
success stories, including that of Sibusiso Labi from Western Cape. Labi, now 20-years-old, was among the thousands of
The first cohort of the UWC software development
child-headed households in South Africa, but the determined
programme launched in 2019, successfully came to an
boy from the Cape Flats refused to be a statistic. At the age
end with students demonstrating their learning by solving
of 18, he found a job as a packer at a supermarket distribution
social problems via digital innovation. Marketing and
centre. A year later he resigned to pursue his dream of
recruitment for the second cohort began mid-2020. The
becoming a web developer. Today, thanks to an innovative
Microsoft AppFactory at Tshimologong is an advanced
collaboration between Samsung South Africa and the University
nine-month software development programme that
of the Western Cape, the 20-year-old’s dream is materialising.
aims to address the gap of high-demand software skills.
He is one of 70 students receiving web and mobile software
The programme aims to facilitate hands-on, real-world
development training at a new Future-Innovation Lab which
experience through creativity and fun in a learning and
focuses on building digital innovation skills for unemployed youth
working environment. Overall, the software development
in South Africa. As a result of his excellent academic results in
programme benefits 80 disadvantaged youth per annum.
this course, as well as his practical software development skills he, along with six other aspiring developers, is now ready for
“Despite the many challenges that face our country’s youth,
the next step in his career and will enter the Samsung EEIP App
there is immense potential that can be explored. We believe
Factory at UWC for a further 9 months of applied skills training
these programmes can open new doors for previously
and building of software products.
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IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT
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