ITS ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR THE FIRST IMMERSIVE 3D EXPO SET TO HIT BLOEMFONTEIN THIS WEEK.

The MICT SETA Hybrid Capacity Building Workshop and Career Development Expo 2022.

The Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) is shaping skills, pioneering industries and empowering futures with a Hybrid Capacity Building Workshop and Career Development Expo (The Expo). Thursday, 03 March 2022 at the Motheo TVET College – Bloemfontein Campus.

Participants are encouraged to register (add link) for this ‘first in our lifetime’, fully immersive experience, powered by unique and fully disruptive learning experiences, that emanate out of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies. In Africa alone, these technologies have generated 1.7 million direct jobs (both formal and informal), contributed to $144 billion of economic value (8.5 percent of the GDP of sub-Saharan Africa), and contributed $15.6 billion to the public sector through taxation.

The Capacity Building Workshop and 3D Expo will equip participants with first-hand learning environments available today, as well as with the technology stacks of tomorrow, outlining the skills necessary to contribute to this new economy. This includes workforce readiness, soft skills, technical skills, and entrepreneurial skills. Alongside key industry leaders and stakeholders that ensure relevant content and input that informs the broader ecosystem of opportunities.

Xabiso Matshikiza, Manager: Marketing Communications, MICT SETA, explains how the platform will work. “A virtual career exhibition will be showcased displaying visually rich and interactive learning environments, where all attendees will be required to create personalised, customised avatars upon entering the virtual expo.

“This allows for a seamless flow of virtual conversations between exhibitors and attendees, as well as for virtual networking opportunities and exploration around the expo site. Additionally, it is designed to fuel the imagination and catalyse ideas on the possibilities that 4IR can deliver – not only for education, but in industry, entrepreneurship, government, and labour.”

The Capacity Building Workshop and career exhibition promises to be a hive of activity that includes keynote addresses, career development practitioners, exhibitors, and will allow interactions between participating organisations, including: CATHSSETA, Motheo TVET College, Department of High Education, Science and Innovation, Services SETA, FASSET, Aviwe BDS, MERSETA, MICT SETA, EWSETA, Department of Employment and Labour and MTN.

This event comes at a time when the MICT SETA scales up programming at the newly established Bloemfontein branch. It is critical for Increasing access to and delivery of industry and occupationally directed programmes and work placements; bringing attention to marginalised communities ensuring inclusivity; and unpacking the impact of COVID-19 and taking advantage of opportunities it has presented, within the region.

A win-win as the MICT SETA moves a step closer towards South Africa’s skills development and economic growth targets within the sub-sectors of Advertising, Film and Electronic Media, Electronics, Information Technology and Telecommunications, as well as a focus on 4IR skills development that empowers young people to contribute to the global digital economy.