The Province of KwaZulu-Natal is committed to working towards accomplishing its strategic goal of transforming itself into an ICT and economic hub. This is demonstrated through the ongoing efforts by both government and the private sector to position this coastal province as a favorable place for investment. The crafting of the Provincial Industrial Development Strategy and the Provincial ICT Cluster Strategy further confirmed the province’s determination to identify sectors that could help propel it to greater heights in terms of socio-economic transformation.
In search of potent plans to effectively implement its strategic obligations, the province is widening its net of partners and hence in recent years it had joined hands with the highly reputable Indian specialist skills development institute, National Institute for Information Technology Limited (NIIT). This partnership is directed at using NIIT’s global experience to improve the province’s ICT and BPO skills base which is essential for real economic advancement.
This partnership was further broadened when recently KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance and Economic Development Dr Zweli Mkhize led a delegation to attend the India-Africa Conclave in New Delhi during which talks of strengthening collaboration resulted in the proposal for the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding to bind the partnership towards a Joint Skills Development Programme. The talks also included the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) which serves as a point of reference into the Indian industry and its associates enabling effective entry into the global market while creating job opportunities required to overcome poverty.
Memorandum of Understanding
The MOU was signed on 31st July 2008 by Dr Mkhize on behalf of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal; President of NIIT Global Learning Solution Business, Mr Govindan Raghaven and CII Director for Africa, Mr Shipra Thripati, in the presence of the Provincial MEC for Education, Ms Ina Cronje and senior government officials, including Head of Economic Development, Ms Carol Coetzee. The focus area of the agreement includes skills training in ICT domains such as software engineering, network administration and management, entrepreneurship, SMME training, business process outsourcing and ICT based learning & teacher training.
The agreement will run for five years and will benefit 10 000 candidates from the programme which will include theoretical training in educational centres in the province and conclude with a year's practical experience in India’s industry. This is expected to equip candidates with adequate capacity to play a massive role in the acceleration of economic growth in the province through the provision of highly desirable competencies in the fast globalising economy and the ability to create business opportunities that would absorb more people to the work place.
International best practice
The participation of CII will serve as a catalyst to ensure that skills development is in line with acceptable best practice standards in the world of business and at the same time their presence will create an interface with their KwaZulu-Natal counterparts to build stronger foundations for future collaborations that would enhance trade between the two countries. Moreover, this implies that the project would also rely on financial support from private sector as well to augment government effort of fast-tracking scarce skills development campaign.
Following the Indian example
Speaking during the conclusion of this essential agreement, Dr Mkhize said the success of any economy hinged on the pool of diverse skills required by various economic sectors. 'India has developed into one of the highly successful developing economies because they have invested in critical skills development. Their ICT sector has shown astronomical growth over the past few decades and we have also seen Indian companies such as TATA Group expanding their business operations across the world. On the north coast in Richards Bay, we have the multi-million rand TATA Steel project that has become one of the key employers of our people’.
He added that he was optimistic that this programme will go beyond preparing the candidates to gain tangible skills to get jobs. 'Their industry experience in India should inspire our students to consider establishing their own enterprises to create more job opportunities for their fellow citizens.'
Dr Mkhize’s sentiments were shared by Head of Economic Development, Ms Carol Coetzee, who said NIIT has a long standing in the training of co-operatives and SMMEs in terms of business management, marketing and business computing. She therefore felt that the prospective trainees should seize the opportunity that while enmeshing themselves with technical skills, they should also be able to develop a taste for business. 'This is a multi-dimensional training programme that offers a scope for people to learn to become highly effective employees or entrepreneurs.'
The MOU stresses that the parties will ensure the NIIT courses will be infused in qualifications such as diplomas and degrees offered in the province’s colleges and universities. They will also be working towards the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Talent Development to be accredited by South African Qualifications Agency.
Contact the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development:
Boyce Mntambo, Manager for Information & Communication Technology
Postal address:
Private Bag X001
Bishopsgate
4008
Physical address:
270 Jabu Ndlovu Street
Pietermaritzburg
3201
Tel.: +27 33 264 2500
Fax: +27 86 679 6404
Email: mntambob@kznded.gov.za
Website: www.kznded.gov.za
