[Johannesburg, 19 September 2013] -

Last year, IT solutions provider, Datacentrix, afforded more than 100 learners from Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal a year of both practical and theoretical training, with the aim to provide previously disadvantaged students with a solid IT qualification as well as experience within the marketplace. Of the 100 learners who were enrolled in the previous financial year, 34 were offered employment with Datacentrix, some as full-time employees and others on a contract basis.

This year's intake included a class of 15 learners living with various types of disabilities.

The organisation targeted disabled school leavers, and learners who have undergone basic IT training, in order to help provide them with the skills and practical experience to improve their opportunities on entering the labour market. At the same time, the company is proud to be part of the solution to address the IT skills shortage in South Africa and to partner with government to help alleviate poverty by creating employment.

The learnership is moderated and approved by the MICT SETA, and is also registered with the South African Qualifications Authority. During the 12-month training period, all learners receive theoretical training from TorqueIT, which is a MICT SETA accredited training provider. Learners are given the opportunity to shadow subject matter experts within Datacentrix for "on-the-job" training, which gives them work experience. By the end of the 12 months, those passing the final exam will hold a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) qualification, which certifies that they are capable of deploying, building, designing, optimising and operating technologies, and can make the design and technology decisions necessary to ensure successful technology implementation projects.

Rejoice Mamphitha, Datacentrix's head of HR, explains: "This type of exposure is certainly assisting to bring more 'marketable' skills to the ICT sector. We want to help people with disabilities enhance their employment opportunities, proving that they also have talents and, given a chance and reasonable accommodation, can perform duties like anyone else."

Datacentrix

Since listing on the JSE Stock Exchange in 1998, Datacentrix has become one of South Africa's leading empowered services-led solution integrators. The company's focus is the provision of infrastructure and business solutions, including cloud computing, high-end storage and security, as well as outsourcing and other related IT services, to the country's public and private sectors. Datacentrix is currently one of the most highly skilled and certified business partners for a number of leading international and local vendors.



distributed by