Twenty-two students recently celebrated their graduation from Oracle’s Graduate Leadership Programme in Sandton.
The programme, which started in 2014, focuses on equipping young, previously disadvantaged students with specialised IT and leadership skills. The programme aims to address these critical skills required within the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry.
Alliance and channel director of Oracle South Africa, Stefan Diedericks said, “Attracting and retaining candidates with requisite ICT skills is an ongoing industry-wide challenge. The ICT skills shortage continues to constrain the country’s capability to increase economic growth and job creation. It is through programmes and initiatives such as this that we are able to address the growing skills gap within the local market.
“In his 2018 State of the Nation Address, president Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa’s prosperity as a nation depends on the country’s ability to take full advantage of rapid technological change and that capabilities in the areas of science, technology and innovation should be developed as a matter of urgency. In line with government’s objective to drive skills development and create job opportunities, the Oracle Graduate Leadership Programme focuses on previously disadvantaged students who have fully or partially completed a university degree. Spread over a period of one year, the programme is based on a blended learning approach, combining classroom training with e-learning and structured on-the-job training. Oracle South Africa sponsors the full cost of training for all programme participants,” said Diedericks.
To date the programme has successfully delivered 84 graduates. Many of these graduates have found permanent employment with Oracle partner companies and other organisations such as IS Partners, Accenture and PSG Wealth.
The 2018 enrolment period for the programme has already started with 21 students confirmed so far.
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