Enhance: Skills Development

NHA partners with IT Intellect in Skills Development    28th May 2004

On the 23rd March our Enhance division welcomed Marilize Arendse and Lusanda Kahla into their midst as part of a Learnership agreement which NHA has entered into with IT Intellect. The Learnership provides the practical experience necessary for Marilize and Lusanda to obtain their NQF (National Qualifications Framework) Level 4 Systems Support Technician Certificate.  They have completed six months of their theoretical training at IT Intellect and are now two months into their practical training with NHA.  At the end of their six month period at NHA they will qualify for their certification.

from left to right: Marilize, Siya, Lusanda and Iqraam

"It is always a pleasure to welcome new people into NHA, and especially rewarding to be able to play a part in growing South Africa's IT skills pool. I know Marilize and Lusanda will benefit from their time at NHA, and we will benefit from our time with them. We hope that this will be the beginning of a promising and exciting adventure in the challenging world of ICT," says Neil Harvey, Managing Director of Neil Harvey and Associates.

IT Intellect is a participant in ISETT Seta’s Learnership Scheme.  ISETT SETA provides the primary funding for IT related Learnerships and lays down the rules/guidelines as to how these Learnerships are conducted.  The vision of ISETT SETA is to “develop South Africa into an ICT knowledge-based society by encouraging more people to develop skills in this sector, as a means of contributing to economic growth in South Africa,” and one of its objective is, "to assist new entrants into the employment sector."

IT Intellect provides IT training primarily for the corporate market and are committed to providing education and mentoring to produce competent IT Professionals. They provide training for desktop applications, networking (e.g. MCSE) and programming (e.g. MCSD).  "The aim of the Learnership is to provide the learners not only with theoretical training, but also the hands-on practical exposure by placing them with companies where they will be able to practically do what they have learnt in class," says Mary Carelse of IT Intellect.

The practical aspect of training is mentored by two of NHA's staff in the Enhance technical support division, Iqraam Minting and Siyabulela Msoki.  Both Siya and Iqraam accept this is a challenge to their leadership skills and are only too happy to have the opportunity.  As Iqraam says, "There are only 8 hours in the normal working day and there's so much more I'd like to show them."  On the mentoring process Siya explained, "We guide them in their tasks as they arise, sometimes I elaborate on a topic that is related to their projects/s or I elaborate for a specific requirement..."

Marilize and Lusanda are enthusiastic about their training but were a little apprehensive in the beginning.  "...since it was my first time working in the IT environment, I was very nervous but people at NHA made me feel so welcome, calm and belonging," explained Lusanda.  Learners have obligations and duties, such as filling in a log book, completing projects on time, meeting with their mentors etc.  Marilize told us, "I am learning something new every day.  I don't believe that anything is difficult if one puts one's mind to it and adds a little determination."

When they qualify they hope to find employment in the world of IT.  Lusanda is very enthusiastic and sees herself owning her own IT Company in 10 years time.  When asked if they will miss NHA, Marilize said, "Yes.  It is so hard to find a workplace where you can feel at home and relaxed.  Where everyone has respect for each other, that is one of the reasons I will miss NHA."  Lusanda's response was, "Definitely, NHA has become my second home and it feels like I've been here forever even though it's only been two months."