In April 2022, Ocule IT hosted the graduation ceremony of the Cohort 2 Electronics Learnership, in partnership with Samsung. The event was also livestreamed via YouTube. The aim of the ceremony was to recognise the talented students that are now certified as qualified Electronics Technicians, ready to take their place at the forefront of South Africa’s ICT sector.

During the year 2021/22 Ocule IT trained 21 learners who came from different municipalities within KZN, to receive an NQF Level 4 Electronics qualification. The graduates include 14 females, which is an encouraging sign of progress as Ocule IT and Samsung continue to focus on addressing gender imbalance in the ICT sector.

Wandile Thato Ndlovu, a graduating student expressed her deepest gratitude for the programme, which “made me realise how much I enjoy learning and challenging myself”. She says she “gained tremendously in terms of knowledge, skills, fault finding and troubleshooting and is in the process of starting her own repair business because there are few women in the industry.”

Simphiwe Gama, a Cohort 1 graduate has already opened his own repair business and hopes “this partnership continues for others to gain the same knowledge that I did. It is a good start for those who are interested in starting their own companies as well as those who wants to pursue electronics as a career. “

The Electronics Learnership programme is a fully funded bursary initiative that provides for tuition, equipment and stipends. In essence, it is a comprehensive integrated skills development investment programme that prioritises the delivery of an integrated holistic package of personal, technical, entrepreneurial and business skills, aligned to meet the needs of the country’s economic development strategies.

“It is vital that we equip deserving youth with expertise and knowledge that appeals to potential employers and even inspires an entrepreneurial spirit. Ocule IT shares our long-term vision of equipping the youth to seize the opportunities that lie in a sector that is creating transformative technology that can empower more people in innovative new ways, “said Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa.

The Electronics Technician programme aims to develop sought-after artisan skills in the fields of electronics. These artisans are trained, guided and mentored by accredited specialist providers as part of their workplace training. Trade testing and ultimately certification form an integral part of the programme. At the end of theoretical and workplace training, learners would have mastered the processes around design, manufacturing and repairing of electronic equipment and products.

“For students, this programme offers unsurpassed access both in workplace learning and in business, as it assists learners to have the ability to sustain themselves even if they were not employed. Ocule, IT in partnership with Samsung is pleased to offer an innovative and exciting programme of learning that emphasises an interdisciplinary approach to knowledge and the solution of real-life problems. We therefore thank Samsung, DTIC and all other stakeholders including employers and learners who participated in this programme, “said Sanele Gcumisa, Ocule IT: Managing Member.

Samsung South Africa and Ocule IT have announced the graduation of the Cohort 1 of its 12-month Electronics Learnership programme. At a virtual ceremony, the new graduates were commended for their achievement and their ability to adapt to the unique learning conditions during Covid-19. To overcome these challenges and ensure effective remote learning, Samsung supported the learners with tablets and access to data. Samsung South Africa’s mission to empower youth in the ICT sector has produced incredible results since the launch of its R280 million Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (“EEIP”), launched in 2019.

Participating in the ceremony was Jacob Maphutha, the Chief Director of the dtic, Sanele Gcumisa, CEO of Ocule IT, Ms. Lungile Shabangu-Dlamini and Ms. Lungile Ngcobo from MICTSETA and Hlubi Shivanda: Director: Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa

Sanele Gcumisa, CEO of Ocule IT

“Samsung will remain committed to the idea of real empowerment and education that changes lives. We are pleased to partner with Ocule IT who share our vision of equipping the youth to seize the opportunities that lie in the ICT sector.  This is an inspiring capacity building programme, that showcases the power of technology to train and inspire young people to pursue their greatest ambitions. We wish the graduates the greatest of success on their journey, and will continue to seek out the avenues that will lead to their success,” said Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa

Ocule IT hosted the 12-month MICTSETA accredited Electronics Learnership. The programme is focussed on the training and development of electronics, technicians. Overall, the programme benefits 40 unemployed black youth over two years. This is a fully funded bursary programme that provides for tuition, equipment and stipends. In essence, it is a comprehensive integrated skills development investment programme that prioritises the delivery of an integrated holistic package of personal, technical, entrepreneurial and business skills, aligned to meet the needs of the country’s economic development strategies.

Ocule IT is pleased with the progress achieved by the first cohort of 20 young unemployed youth recruited and trained during challenging period, when COVID 19 hit South Africa. The majority of the group has managed to secure employment or is involved in self-employment initiatives. Ocule and Samsung is committed to providing support and guidance to those with an interest in meaningful employment, in order to create more opportunities in the future.

Jacob Maphutha from the Dtic