Hi-tech centre for Alex
JOBURG - Allied Technologies (Altech) has begun construction of a high technology multimedia training centre for disadvantaged pupils and community members in Alexandra.
The construction of the facility is in response to an approach from Obed Bapela, the Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, along with the chairperson of the Alexandra Renewal Project, to provide an education facility for the Alexandra community. The centre will provide high school pupils with access to an information technology centre and resource library.
Altech, together with Blue Groove Africa and the Alexandra Renewal Project, identified land adjacent to Minerva High School for the centre. This land was donated by the Johannesburg Property Company.
The running of programmes at the centre will be managed by Protec, who will manage extra tuition classes in mathematics, science, English, computers and life skills for grades 8 to 10.
Altech will also establish additional educational services with other service providers in order to broaden community access, particularly for adult learners. Coupled with this, Altech will be providing learnerships in computer literacy for unemployed youth in the area. These learnerships will be run and managed by Bytes People Solutions.
According to Craig Venter, CEO of Altron TMT, the centre will open up new horizons for underprivileged pupils as they seek to acquire the skills required to compete in the South African economy.
“By equipping our young people to participate in the knowledge economy, we are giving them the gift of economic freedom, and our country the gift of growth and global competitiveness,” he said.
Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony in Alexandra, Johan Klein, group executive for corporate services at Altron TMT, said that it was imperative for the private sector, government and communities to partner together in order to address South Africa’s maths and science skills shortage.
“No single parent, teacher or even school can meet the full spectrum of our young people’s needs. Today, more than ever, we need to take hands, join forces, and act together in the best interests of our children,” he said.
It is anticipated that the facility will be handed over to the community by November.
