Microsoft and USAASA launch community development
Thanks to the universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) and Microsoft, people living in underserved communities across South Africa should now have better access to job skills through the use of technology.
In terms of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in Midrand this week, Microsoft and USAASA will work together to provide “appropriate information technology” to underserved communities.
This includes the establishment of new community access centres (previously known as ‘telecentres’) throughout South Africa. It also includes the creation of computer refurbishment centres, which will see residents of local communities trained to recondition computers and provide them to the community at low cost. The partnership will also train computer literacy trainers and assist the community access centres to become accredited computer literacy training providers.
USAASA Chairperson Cassandra Gabriel said, “The majority of South Africans do not have the skills to use computers or access the internet. They do not know how these technologies will improve their lives. The younger generations understand that they have to be computer literate to be employable, but they cannot afford the training. USAASA’s partnership with Microsoft will help to ensure that we use the most modern and effective learning tools to help South Africans learn the 21st Century skills, critical for sustainable economic growth.”
The agreement will see Microsoft South Africa provide free software – in local languages, where available – to the access centres for three years. It will also make available its IT Academy programme, which offers internationally-accredited qualifications, and give graduates of the programme access to workplace experience through its Student2Business programme.
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