Dynamic Technologies has established Dynamic DNA as part of its BEE Enterprise Development programme.
Dynamic DNA is a 51% black female owned ICT learnership academy, which provides learners with a combination of the theoretical skills and hands-on work experience they need to thrive in the technology sector.
The initiative helps organisations develop dynamic young people who will become the technology leaders of tomorrow.
Dynamic DNA takes learners out of the townships, gives them an opportunity to thrive, grow and empower themselves with skills, and enables them to imagine a future in which they are highly employable and able to help their families back home and assist with the welfare and education of their siblings.
“These learners come to us not knowing how to switch on a laptop, and they leave with the skills to develop, program and test software, and to contribute to South Africa’s growing knowledge economy,” says Prudence Mabitsela, MD of Dynamic DNA.
The training institution is accredited by MICT SETA and offers locally and internationally accredited ICT learning programmes. It equips learners with the skills to choose a number of different career paths in the ICT industry, including web development mobile development, programming, QA testing, business analysis, ICT project management, and many more.
According to its founders, Dynamic DNA aims to drive the continuous education and employability of ICT graduates. A 2016 CareerJunction Index (CJI) report showed that skilled IT professionals are in high demand in the country. The report notes that programmers and software developers are at the top of the skills list in terms of market demand.
“Our aim is to help bridge that gap between industry needs and available skills,” says Prudence Mabitsela,” MD of Dynamic DNA. “Many companies find it difficult to take on ICT graduates because they lack practical experience and soft skills, causing internships to fail, and adding little value to both the company and the learner. Our programmes ensure that they gain valuable practical experience while they are studying towards a qualification.”
Together with its partners in business, Dynamic DNA helps create a new and exciting future for suitable young people who would otherwise have no access to this level of ICT training and development.
Mabitsela says it should be part of every social responsibility drive to hand down knowledge to the youth of tomorrow and to help them become future leaders.
“We provide them with the skills South Africa needs, and give them the work experience employers require so that they can be productive from day one,” she adds. “Learnerships are a legal obligation and companies are investing heavily in training. We are here to ease that burden and make sure that their investment is worthwhile and provides an excellent return for everyone involved.”
Companies participating in the programme include DVT, IndigoCube, Cloudsmiths, Blue Pencil and Enzani Technologies. “We are calling on more organisations like these to support this initiative and help to create real jobs for talented young people,” adds Mabitsela.
Dynamic DNA offers Systems Development NQF Level 4, Level 5 and Level 6, leading to a three-year IT diploma. In addition, the academy is an accredited Microsoft learning partner, and offers all Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) certifications, as well as Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certifications.
“Our graduates are able to build innovative solutions across multiple technologies, both on-premises and in the cloud,” says Mabitsela. “They learn the skills to design and build agile applications in a complex business environment. They also learn about communication skills, presentation skills, the work ethic and professionalism, making them employable from the get-go.”
Mabitsela, a B-BBEE and skills development specialist and previously an employee of DVT, was head of skills development at the company when she launched an internal leadership academy. At the time, she found it difficult to take in learners who had no work experience whatsoever. “Their practical learning needs were taking up an enormous amount of resources in terms of time and people, which is why we decided to open our own training academy to turn our learners into leaders who are ready for the world of work.”
Operating from a training facility in Randburg, Dynamic DNA upskills learners, enabling them to benefit from their employer’s environment, and ensuring they receive guidance and support along the way.
Ideal candidates have completed matric, with an average of 60% in both maths and science. Those who meet these criteria are also required to go through a comprehensive interview process to determine whether they will benefit from the programme. Its current cohort of 35 learners are drawn from several different companies across Gauteng, and the aim is to continue to grow the programme.