Skills development programme gets youngsters ready for 4IR

By Thapelo Molefe | See Article Here

A young graduate from Tshwane North TVET College has turned a personal business challenge into a technical breakthrough by developing a battery-powered nail dryer.

This was after she joined a skills development programme offered by Greycode and funded by the Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT Seta).Keletso Rampedi, who completed her N6 in Management Assistance in 2023, was unable to find in-service training and set up a small nail business. However, when load-shedding affected her income, she was forced to consider other ways of staying in business. earning a living.

Rampedi came across a Greycode-run Internet of Things (IoT) programme. But the 15 available funded spots were already filled. She volunteered to join without a stipend.“She wasn’t initially selected because only 15 were funded, but she insisted on joining the programme without a stipend. She just wanted the skill,” said MICT Seta CEO Matome Madibana.

Her story highlights the impact of practical, skills-based training in addressing South Africa’s massive youth unemployment and digital skills gap.

Greycode, which specialises in crafting IoT solutions, partnered with MICT in 2023 to introduce hands-on technical training at Tshwane North TVET College.

“Traditionally, students will only learn theory, but now they actually thrive because… you actually get to build a tangible series circuit and parallel circuit,” Greycode CEO Mutshidzi Mapila told Inside Education.That focus on access and inclusivity also led to the creation of the company’s training division.

“That realisation led to the birth of Greycode Skillshare, our education and training arm. It was created to democratise tech skills, especially in underserved areas where formal tech education is limited,” Mapila said.“We wanted to build a platform where anyone from high school learners to young professionals could gain hands-on experience in electronics, programming and innovation, breaking the myth that tech is only for the highly intellectual, and creating a space where people feel empowered to innovate.”

The programme centres on Greycode’s custom-built IoT development board, an all-in-one tool that combines Wi-Fi, GPS, LTE and Bluetooth.

“It’s a versatile tool that can be used across various industry sectors, from industrial automation to DIY projects. Most importantly, it’s an excellent tool for the classroom — giving students the opportunity to learn through practical, hands-on experience,” Mapila said.

Students are trained in electronics, programming, networking and 3D printing. They are required to design, code, develop a prototype and present functional devices as part of their final assessment.

The programme is also intended to build entrepreneurship and self-reliance among graduates and help reduce the growing mismatch between education and employment.

Madibana said short, focused, hands-on programmes were critical to closing South Africa’s education-employment gap.

Looking ahead, Greycode plans to expand the programme to support tech-based entrepreneurship.

“We’d like to focus more on everybody who’s business-minded and has a tech idea… and then they want to build that prototype and further commercialise it,” Mapila said.

“We aim to grow Greycode Skillshare into a platform where anyone, regardless of background, can go from beginner to builder to business owner. Ultimately, I want Greycode to demonstrate that we don’t have to wait for imported solutions, we can create our own right here.”