The Johannesburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) at Wits University has introduced a partner programme to uplift the local software development sector using a "building blocks" approach.
JCSE CEO professor Barry Dwolatzky says the partner programme aims to position the JCSE as a focal point for the sector`s growth and maturation as an industry.
"The JCSE`s partner programme creates an environment where companies can invest in these 'industry building blocks` for the good of the industry as well as their own companies," Dwolatzky says.
"Partners are awarded points for their investments, which can be spent by using the JCSE`s training courses, master classes and other events.
"These include the Continued Professional Development programme, professional certificates, CMMI [Capability Maturity Model Integration] courses and master classes from local and international experts. In addition, companies also earn points for their contributions to sector-building initiatives."
Dwolatzky says further points can be bought at a 10% discount if partners need additional JCSE services. Individuals, small to medium enterprises and large corporates can participate.
Considerable rewards
"The partner programme creates a 'currency` with which partners improve their own companies and are rewarded with points for offering services which benefit the industry," Dwolatzky adds.
"For example, a company may spend its points by sending employees to the 'Introduction to CMMI` course, using their points to up-skill employees. The company could also make skilled employees available to teach on master classes at the JCSE.
"In so doing, they improve the skills within their own organisations and simultaneously earn points and increase the level of skills within the sector."
As more partners come on board and the JCSE increases its offering, it will look to diversify its services, providing a greater choice to partners, as well as reward companies for different kinds of contributions to the JCSE and the rest of the sector.
The result, says Dwolatzky, is an ecosystem - companies adopt best practices, improve their own ability to develop world-class software, improve the skill levels of their own employees, and contribute to an overall growth of high-level skills in the local IT sector.
The JCSE was created in 2005 with about R5 million in funding from 20 companies that partnered with Wits University and the City of Johannesburg. Partners include IBM, Microsoft, Unisys, the Meraka Institute and First National Bank.
"From the outset, the JCSE`s aims have been to promote best practice in software development within an African context, grow the country`s capacity to deliver world-class software, and develop research and training initiatives to strengthen the local software development industry," he notes.
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