Johannesburg — EVERY student who enrolled for technology training on the Youth Internship Programme piloted last year has successfully completed the course and been offered a job in the industry.

The 120 students were the first to undertake the training designed to improve the number of skilled workers available for the information and communications technology sectors.

The students studied through placements within six companies where they specialised in programming, information systems security, telecommunications installations and business analysis.

The programme was launched by the trade and industry department, the Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) and private companies in a bid to alleviate an estimated shortage of 20000 IT professionals.

The trial phase was run at a cost of R12m, with the department pledging to expand the scheme if 95% of students passed the course and 95% found employment within three months.

That is now happening, with a second batch of students to be offered a year of training in Gauteng, Cape Town, Durban, Mpumalanga, Port Elizabeth, East London and North West. A wider variety of technical studies will be offered, and places made available for disabled learners. Each of the programmes will consist of theory followed by six months of work experience.

Disadvantaged youngsters aged between 18 and 30 can apply for a place by calling 0861120-012, or online at www.isett.org.za. To be considered, they must have matriculated, come from a previously disadvantaged group and be willing to study for at least a year.

The students are paid an allowance, with 20% of the cost of the training being met by the company hosting the student, and 80% by government and the Seta. The firms that hosted the first internees were arivia.kom, CS Holdings, IBM, Siemens, Esselenpark and the State Information Technology Agency.