Career day empowers learners at Sunward Christian Academy

Girlcode, a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering women and girls through technology, partnered with Vumatel to host a career day at Sunward Christian Academy on August 7.

This initiative aimed to educate learners about coding, robotics, and related career opportunities, aligning with the celebration of Women’s Month and addressing the pressing issue of youth unemployment.

Tinyiko Simbine, COO of Girlcode said, in recent years, the conversation around gender equality in the workplace has gained momentum. This is particularly seen in industries like information technology (IT) that have historically been male-dominated.

“Women tend to make up only a small percentage of the workforce in tech-related fields and we want to change that.

“We want to empower them, and also bridge the gender gap in technology, asserting that women and girls can excel in these fields.

“We do not only want to teach them technical skills but also foster a sense of belonging and possibility for young women.”

The career day featured a series of interactive workshops and presentations designed to engage learners and spark their interest in technology. Participants were introduced to essential coding skills, robotics, and the various career paths available in the tech industry.

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Simbine said the initiative aimed to demystify technology and encourage learners to see themselves as future leaders in the field.

“We usually teach them things like web development, programming languages and many more.

“By providing them with these skills, we are not just preparing them for jobs; we are empowering them to innovate and create.”

Simbine added that the need for diversity in technology is more pressing than ever. As industries continue to evolve, the demand for skilled professionals, especially women, will only increase.

Simbine expressed gratitude to the school for giving this opportunity to the learners.

Vumatel, a provider of fibre-optic internet connectivity, played a crucial role in this initiative.

Taylor Kwong, a representative from Vumatel, highlighted the company’s commitment to bridging the digital divide.

“We decided to partner with the organisation because of the shared vision. We see the digital gap and want to change that.”

Kwong said Vumatel’s partnership with Girlcode is part of a broader initiative to provide high-speed internet access to schools connected with them.

“This connectivity not only enhances educational opportunities but also ensures that learners have the resources they need to explore digital skills and technology.

“We decided to come to the school because it is part of our school’s project.”

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