Siemens Southern Africa, GTZ (German Technical Cooperation), ISETT SETA (Information Systems Electronics and Telecommunications Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority) and the Durban Institute of Technology's CSDTT (Centre for Skills Development and Technology Transfer) were the major players in the development of the programme.

These partners have developed the programme to incorporate the National Certificate in Computer Science (NCCS) in collaboration with the CSDTT as a one-year programme in line with international certifications.

Described as a systematic and formalised approach of capacity building for high potential candidates, the ICT learnership programme leads to an internationally recognised national certificate in a specified field.

Combining on-the-job training with theoretical knowledge, this initiative will see approximately one hundred candidates being taken into an actual working environment. In this case, Siemens Business Services (SBS) is acting as the lead employer.

Idris Suleman, director of ICT Services at SBS, says that while many ICT graduates lack any on-the-job experience or people skills, time spent in an actual working environment serves to improve their effectiveness and overall communication skills, as they are exposed to fellow workers, other staff members and, ultimately, the customers themselves in practical situations.

"Corporates can also decide which area of expertise they would like their candidates to specialise in, for example programming, hardware support skills or systems engineering," explains Suleman. "In this way, specific skills shortages within companies and organisations can be addressed."

Ms Adrienne Bird, Deputy Director-General for the Department of Labour (DoL) has endorsed the programme as meeting national imperatives in developing a skilled labour force in the ICT (information Communications Technology) sector.