Ericsson announces learnership program for 60 telecoms students

• 60 students, 50% of which are female will be covered by two Ericsson Learnership Programs that were launched in South Africa.
• The 6- and 12-month technical programs form an integral part of the company’s dedication and commitment to skills development and transformation in South Africa
• Ericsson has been working with partners across the region to build a sustainable future leveraging on telecommunications to transforming lives in sub-Saharan Africa

Ericsson South Africa has announced the official launch of its Learnership Programs for 60 students looking to secure long-term employment. The 6- and 12-month technical programs form an integral part of the company’s dedication and commitment to skills development and transformation in South Africa. 50% of included learners are female in an attempt to encourage females to pursue a rewarding career in Information and Communications Technology (ICT).The learners who participate in this program will benefit from gaining knowledge of telecommunications technical and design principles, and IT systems support, which enables them to fulfil technical roles across a range of specialised disciplines.

“Telecoms is key to transforming lives in sub-Saharan Africa. For over 100 years, Ericsson has been working with partners across the region to build a sustainable future based on trust and integrity. Using global expertise and extensive local presence, we enable business transformation and empower social change,” says Mahomed Essof, Country Manager, Ericsson South Africa.

The primary intention behind this learnership program is to support ICT-related Skills Development opportunities for learners from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. This shows Ericsson’s commitment and support for Skills Development.

“With digital literacy and access to information and opportunities, we hope we can assist to tackle youth unemployment in South Africa. As the youth of this country, learners are key component to achieve the government’s 2030 National Development Plan. We trust that by equipping more leaners with business and ICT skills, they will embrace this challenge and succeed on this journey,” Essof adds.

Ericsson is committed to improving the quality of education globally through the power of ICT. By the end of 2017, Ericsson South Africa will have spent R12-million on skills development for 94 unemployed youth, including 50 learners on the IT systems support program and 10 learners on the telecommunications programme. This is complemented by 24 disabled learners, 10 bursars studying at major South African universities.