Capaciti Programme to address graduate unemployment

Business Analysts and Systems Analysts are two core IT skills that are in critical short supply in South Africa.  Add to this equation the high unemployment rate in the country, it is disheartening to know that graduates are sitting in frustrating situations on the verge of losing hope due to being educated yet unemployed.

Thanks to innovation and industry leadership demonstrated by the Cape IT initiative (CITi), this problem now has a tried, tested and growing solution in the form of the CAPACITi programme.  The programme, which selects non-IT graduates through a rigorous selection process is part of a joint venture between CITi, the Western Cape Government, the Insurance SETA (INSETA), the W&RSETA, UCT and host companies in the IT, insurance and retail sectorssuch as Pick ‘n Pay, Shoprite Checkers, The Foschini Group and the JD Group to name a few. The programme that has been going since 2011 has seen 80 unemployed graduates develop into Business and Systems Analysts through a unique model that combines education with work experience and ultimately a recruitment opportunity for them to be fast-tracked into IT jobs.

At a function held today at Old Mutual in Pinelands, 40 individuals received certificates of completion for successfully making it through the 2012 programme.  An additional 40 candidates who commenced the 2013 programme were introduced.  The function which was attended by past graduates as well as industry and opinion leaders was a celebration of achievement and hope being given to new incumbents.  The course is made possible by the generous sponsorship and support from corporates and government who wish to see the graduate IT skills shortages addressed in order to accelerate business value creation and innovation and thereby have a positive ripple effect on the economy of South Africa.

“Graduates apply to the programme from all over South Africa,” says Jenny McKinnell, Group Executive Director: CITi, TheBarn and CAPACITI. “The programme is open to graduates with a prior non-IT qualification up to the age of 35.  The programme provides participants with a post-graduate diploma (NQF level 8) from the University of Cape Town, an internship at a host company and mentor and training support.” McKinnell continued. “Since the launch, 80 graduates have been placed in jobs and are therefore active economic participants, earning salaries of between R 11 000 and R 22 000 immediately after completing the programme,” she added.

The CAPACITi programme forms part of group vision of CITI, TheBarn and CAPACITi to build, connect and accelerate entrepreneurs, talent and ecosystems and to create 5000 additional jobs in the next five years.

For more information or to schedule interviews with Jenny McKinnell and/or programme participants, please contact Kim Webster 0822275209 / kim@geckoconnect.net.

RELEASED BY:

Kim Websterkim@geckoconnect.net

ON BEHALF OF:

The Cape IT initiative (CITi)Jenny McKinnellGroup Executive Directorjenny@capaciti1000.org.za