Cisco training centre
Networking technology firm Cisco SA will invest 215 million rand over the next five year to a build training centre and incubation hub in Pretoria, it said.
Dubbed South Africa’s own fledgling Silicon Valley, the Cisco Innovation Hub Technology Centre will develop a community of entrepreneurs and technology specialists including software developers.
Cisco MD Steve Midgley said the technicians would be equipped with know-how to take advantage of the imminent broadband boom.
"Not only will it provide the technical skills required to support this boom but it will also incubate the entrepreneurial skills needed to take advantage of the many opportunities that the introduction of true and pervasive broadband such as that which is enjoyed by our international peers will bring," said Midgley.
The centre, which is expected to create 200 direct and 800 indirect employment opportunities, will also address the chronic local and global shortage of network engineers, Midgley said.
At last count Cisco announced that South Africa alone had a shortage of 35,000 network engineers.
According to Midgley, in addition to supporting the South African business community to take advantage of the myriad opportunities in the local market, the investment – and the building of a community on the back of the investment – will also support government to entrench South Africa’s position as a worthy contender to outsource giants such as India and the Philippines.
"I anticipate a significant increase in the demand for technology services from South Africa in coming years and believe this investment will kick-start the capacity-building process," said Midgley.
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