Alex youths urged to take advantage of skills training services
ALEXANDRA - Alex youths’ have been challenged to utilize available resources to improve their circumstances and not to complain that nothing was availed to them.
Alex youths have been challenged to utilise available resources and skill training services to improve their circumstances, and not to complain that nothing has been availed to them.
This was said by Mathoto Ramashia of Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology which is based at the Thusong Multipurpose Centre on 8th Avenue, Alexandra.
The institute provides accredited computer skills training courses at nominal cost to enable those who can’t afford registering for the courses at other institutions. It also offers some services free through partnerships with the city council and other private and public organisations. Occasionally the institute offers bursaries to deserving students and did so at the recent launch of the Alex Youth Centre where three lucky youths received bursaries and two youths received tablets.
The institute’s campus manager Mathoto Ramashia said, “Youths are prone to blame everyone when they fail to take advantage of available resources and services at their disposal. Some of the services are provided for free and others are charged for at affordable costs to enable them to acquire necessary skills required when looking for employment and to generate employment.”
She said the institute which opened its Alex campus this year, provides a three-month accredited computer course for 40 students daily complemented by support classes in the afternoons.
“But only 17 students registered for the first semester between February and April, 14 in the second semester between May and July and 14 this semester. The students will receive competency certificates in Microsoft computing including Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint. The fees are payable over a three-month period. Others stand a chance to get occasional support and free training sponsored by other partner agencies,” Ramashia said.
Millicent Tsotetsi (30), a bursary recipient said she had wanted to acquire computer skills at 24 years old, but couldn’t afford it. However, now, thanks to low costs, she would soon become a certified computer user.
“I will use the qualification to profile myself and to manage a business I am planning in beauty therapy. I urge other youths to exploit these opportunities which are not always readily available and accessible,” she said.
The institute will also increase its services to include diploma and tertiary studies in the near future.
