The First beneficiaries of MICT SETA 3D Printing Short Programme in partnership with Phumelela Consulting South Africa

The Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) has developed 38 fourth industrial revolution (4IR) future skills qualifications to date. The newly developed and registered qualifications include: artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, cyber security, data science, design thinking lead, design thinking practitioner, internet of things, robotic processing automation, quality engineering automation, systems development and e-waste. Drone Technician, Remote Piloting Aircraft, 5g, Technopreneur, Python programming and C++, developed Blockchain, 3D Printing, Augmented and Virtual Reality and Optic Fibre qualifications.

The MICT SETA has also developed an Integrated Digital Skills Strategy (IDSS) that was approved by the MICT SETA board, and the IDSS allow the MICT SETA to identify mutual beneficiary strategic partners as enablers to enter into MOUs to implement the strategy. Phumelela Consulting is one of the MICT SETA strategic partners to implement 3D printing that resulted in 25 unemployed youth becoming the first beneficiaries of this ground-breaking future skill. The learners were also provided with additional Cisco Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance further their future skills, according to Ms Sema Senior Manager 4IR MICT SETA.

Employment, entrepreneurship boost

“As the MICT SETA, we are excited about our partnership with Phumelela Consulting South Africa, in launching and spearheading the provision of formal training on future skills specialising in 3D Printing in South Africa,” says Matome Madibana, MICT SETA CEO. “We are optimistic that with these 38 qualifications, we will be in a position to bridge the current shortage within the ICT and digital industries in the process maximise employment prospects and entrepreneurial opportunities for young people in South Africa.”

Providing Future Skills to Bridge the Digital Divide

Much has been made about the digital divide and how it prevents societies from harnessing the full benefits that information and communication technologies (ICTs) can deliver. Equitable access to such technologies is seen as an enabler of socio-economic development as digitally connected living has potential implications for poverty alleviation, health, education, social well-being, and political participation. Overall, increasing access to enabling technologies appears as a solution to the disparities between social groups. Yet is this the correct approach? Will certain inequalities vanish as digital technology expands throughout the margins of society?

The digital divide is conceptualized as the gap between those that have access to ICTs and those that do not. To narrow the distance between the “haves” and the “have-nots”, it is generally accepted that spreading digital technology more broadly would solve these differences. We at Phumelela Consulting believe that spreading technology without skilling those currently marginalized will not remedy the challenge and as a result we have taken it

upon ourselves form strategic partnerships that put together 4IR programs that will ensure that unemployed youth are not left behind as the 4th Industrial revolution reshapes the world.

“the 4th industrial revolution creates a unique opportunity for the unemployed youth of south Africa to upskill quickly and efficiently then join the ever expanding digital economy” says Gift Mukadzi CEO Phumelela Consulting.