The first cohort of the nine-month internship program was unveiled in 2020
Samsung and Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct commemorate the graduation of the third cohort of its thriving applications factory. The first cohort of the nine-month internship program was unveiled in 2020 to address the issue of skills shortage in software development in South Africa.
Whilst there is significant demand for software developers in South Africa, the industry is facing a gripping shortage of industry-prepared talent. On a par when graduates have the technical skills, they are unaware of how to work efficiently in a team or transmit their expertise to a world of nature framework.
The App factory recruits high-level prospective graduates from several tertiary institutions and would set aside for them to work on realistic projects under the guidance of a senior developer across a nine-month interval. Errors (bugs) in software development projects come with a high-level cost to a business when working on real projects in the industry. The App factory thus generates a secure ecosystem to fail fast and learn more rapidly while delivering below pressure on realistic projects. During this period, they learn full-stack development by mastering the theory and engaging in realistic projects. Their technical skills are refined, and they acquire state-of-the-art skills, including problem-solving, presentation skills, critical thinking skills, effective communication, collaborative team skills, and information literacy.
South African software development solutions are contending worldwide for talent to make sure that Tshimologong is developing a quality talent pipeline locally that can be productive in the workplace instantly. There is still an extremely massive gap in the work readiness of graduates. The App Factory addresses this gap, says Lesley Donna Williams, CEO of Tshimologong Precinct.
The first cohort in 2020 had eight interns out of eighty-five applicants, the second one had nine out of 306 applicants and the most recent intake had eighteen interns out of 772 applicants. Even though there is a high demand for applicants for the program, the teaching methodology is focused and has a profound impact, concentrating on small groups and individual care for each intern.
Several graduates ended up working at a world-prominent automotive manufacturer and a 2020 graduate, Nomfundo Phororo recently took her first business trip with the company. She says that she had an amazing opportunity to fly to Germany to meet my colleagues and visit their advanced manufacturing factories. Being on the App Factory program opened prospects that most individuals can only dream of.
One of the latest graduates, Simphiwe Nyandeni, says the support from her sisters guided her in the right direction. She wanted to study travel and tourism but when her sister introduced herself and inspired her to go for the apprenticeship at Tshimologong instead, it was an easy decision to make, and she is thankful she joined it. She is grateful to Samsung for creating this excellent occasion available to young people like her who are determined and focused but with inadequate prospects.
Samsung’s contribution
Samsung acknowledges that South African youth are talented and need skills development beyond tertiary education to achieve employment. Unleashing their potential involves exposing talent to how software is developed in the industry. The shortage of effectively skilled software engineers would hinder the country’s ability to navigate the Fourth Industrial Revolution and risk being put at the rear. This is what makes such initiatives so a lot more significant. Samsung would want to contribute to this developmental plan and process towards expanding the South African economy, says Hlubi Shivanda, Director: of Business Operations and Innovation and Corporate Affairs at Samsung.
About the Tshimologong
Tshimologong was founded by Prof. Barry Dwolatzky, owned by Wits University, and is a Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment contributor and an accredited service provider in the Media Information and Communications Technologies sector.
The Tshimologong Precinct is a digital innovation ecosystem in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, which impels entrepreneurship and expands the skills pipeline for the digital economy through an alliance with academia, government, corporates, and entrepreneurs.
It offers skills and on-the-job training for unemployed youth while accelerating the growth of digital enterprises at every stage of their business and creating a pathway for students and entrepreneurs to illustrate their work widely and gain access to commercial opportunities.
The key pillars of Tshimologong’s environment in accomplishing its objective are:
Digital skills development: Programmes are concentrated on enhancing talent in growing tech teams and digital ventures.
Incubation and acceleration: Initiatives are designed to enhance Digital Startups, assisting their companies at every stage of development.
Networks and market access: Through several programs it facilitates entrepreneurs to create effective networks, offering access to funding and markets.