Monday, 07 April 2008 01:00
Technology solutions provider Cisco has launched a new partnership programme to reduce skills shortages in Africa's telecoms industry...
The programme will be based at a multi-million shilling facility dubbed the Global Talent Acceleration Programme in Johannesburg, where network engineers will be trained to enable Africa's IT to keep pace with growing demand for telecoms services. Cisco joins several corporations in recognising the vital need to create specialised solutions for the Africa's rapidly increasing market. Corporations of this size are realising that they can not just operate in Africa for commercial objectives alone, and that they must boost the expertise of the local populations where they operate.
The South African facility, which will initially host 16 students, is Cisco's latest addition to its 80 networking academies on the continent. Company officials say it is responding to the growing demand for technology engineers as demand for telecommunication services grows. "Demand for technical talent has exceeded supply in Africa and could threaten the growth of the IT sector," believes Phil Wolfenden, Senior Director of CISCO Advanced Services in emerging markets: "GTAP is expected to support e-government applications and private sector players in addressing the shortfall".
Microsoft, Google and Intel are three companies which work with African governments to provide subsidised or free products and courses to schools and other institutions.
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