By: Qhawekazi Memani – 10 November 2022

PAROLEES AND VICTIMS OF CRIME RECEIVE DIGITAL LITERACY AND DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS FROM VUT

The Vaal University of Technology (VUT)’s E-SkillsCoLab through an initiative by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Human Capital Learning Solutions (HCLS) and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), recently launched training for a group of 28 parolees and victims of crime from Boksburg, Johannesburg and Modderbee Community Corrections in the Gauteng Region.

During a 4-week programme starting with a 1-week Digital literacy and Digital Entrepreneurship course offered by the VUT E-Skills CoLab to parolees and victims of crime. Followed by a 2-4 weeks programme which included cell phone repair training, participants left the training as fully registered ICT business owners.

The aim of the initiative was to offer electronics repair training which will bolster economic opportunities for parolees and victims of crime. The month-long classroom-intensive programme webbed stakeholders; each holding a significant link in the envisioned outcome of youth entrepreneurs in the South African digital marketplace. The training’s extension to DCS in Gauteng was said to be purely a pilot project which will be rolled out nationally. “We intend on stretching the training nationally with Giyani in Limpopo being next in line to benefit,” said Wikus van der Merwe, HCLS Director.

According to the VUT E-skills Director: Antoinette Lombard, the beneficiaries were made up of a diverse group of learners, each keen to embrace the education on offer. “The course is the first to introduce victims to skills development for potential economic opportunities, and each learned is was required to complete the training within four weeks.”

Upon successful course completion, students will receive a once-off stipend alongside tools of trade (toolkit and tablet) to ensure business continuity.