With the world’s renewed focus on digital skills and 4IR, why aren’t more technical and vocational education and training (TVET) college students entering the industry?
This is a challenge which youth ICT organisation Geekulcha and edtech provider Academic Solutions are setting out to solve. This week the two organisations announced a partnership to encourage more college students to join in the ICT industry.
Geekulcha observed ‘College Month’ in September, focusing on helping TVET students navigate the industry through means such as field trips and hackathons.
Through College Month, Geekulcha also managed to expand its Geekulcha Student Society (GKSS) footprint by six more colleges, bringing its total college student societies to 30 around the country.
For students and led by students at universities, the GKSS initiative is intended to grow tech leaders of tomorrow by growing capacity, enlightenment and drive socio-tech cohesion on campus.
COO Tiyani Nghonyama says the memorandum of understanding signed with Academic Solutions is critical in ensuring that TVET colleges are not left behind by digital transformation. The agreement also forms part of Geekulcha’s drive to become a ‘full development platform’.
Nghonyama explains: “We’re set on monitoring the transition from being a high school learner to a tertiary student and then getting into the job market. This means helping young minds venture through the ICT sector, getting them exposure and continuously working on developing their tech skills.”
2020 National 4IR Technology Expo
To kickstart the partnership, the two organisations will be hosting the virtual National 4IR Technology Expo from 28 to 30 October.
Under the theme ‘Digital economy, moving with times’, there will be presentations focusing on AI, IOT, cyber security, AR/VR, blockchain, e-commerce, 3D printing and robotics. A hackathon will also take place on the sidelines of the expo.
There will also be a special focus on open source software, considered by the event organisers as a tool to help accelerate learning, development and the industrial adoption of 4IR solutions.
The expo was piloted last year by Academic Solutions, introducing South West Gauteng College students to 4IR technology. The company aims to pilot a 4IR curriculum in TVET colleges in South Africa with the assistance of Geekulcha.
Academic Solutions’ offerings address challenges such as low quality education, low pass rates and the lack of work experience. Its director Treasure Pega says Geekulcha’s unique approach to education makes this a meaningful partnership.
“When a student leaves college, they should be well-equipped to survive and strive in the field and this largely depends on the education given,” says Pega.
The expo will be live-streamed on Geekulcha and Academic Solution’s Facebook and YouTube channels on 28 to 30 October from 10am to 1pm. It is open to all TVET students.
Candidates can send an email to dev@geekucha.com.
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