The National Skills Fund is expected to launch a training package in digital skills for unemployed youth in the country.<\/p>\n
This was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his weekly newsletter.<\/p>\n
According to the President, the move is aimed at ensuring that as an investment into the digital economy continues to grow, South Africans are able to use their skills to take advantage of employment and economic opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo boost the job creation potential of these investments, the National Skills Fund will soon launch a new model for demand-led skills development, which will provide R800 million to fund training for unemployed young people in digital skills.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we look to foster increased investment over the next five years, as the structural reform process continues to gather pace and as measures to end the energy crisis bear fruit, we will be able to further position ourselves at the forefront of the digital economy in Africa,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
President Ramaphosa explained that over the past five years, significant investments have been made into the country\u2019s digital economy \u2013 a boon that is driving the country\u2019s development.<\/p>\n
At the recent South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) alone, companies pledged at R81 billion to ICT and digital services projects in the country, bringing the total amount invested specifically in ICT since the first SAIC to some R200 billion.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe [SAIC]\u2026provided a huge boost to the country\u2019s digital economy. In addition to significant investment commitments in data and telecommunications infrastructure, there were also announcements about investments in the mining, manufacturing, energy, property, logistics and food and beverages sectors.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile all these investments contribute to economic growth and job creation, the investments in the digital economy will, in addition, propel our country into a new era of innovation and progress. Not only is the digital economy important for growth, but it is also vital to the provision of key services such as education, social services and health care.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeveral recent tech surveys indicate that higher speeds and improved mobile and fibre infrastructure are helping to narrow the digital divide. This is the result of stepped-up investment in the digital economy in recent years. Faster fibre and 5G rollout make our economy more competitive as more connectivity solutions help businesses emerge and expand,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The ICT sector has seen some significant improvements over the past five years, including:<\/p>\n
President Ramaphosa said although these developments are a boost, there are challenges, such as load shedding, that are hampering the growth of the ICT sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo take advantage of this inward investment and see it increase, we have to urgently resolve the electricity crisis and the theft and destruction of ICT infrastructure. These were among the issues raised by investors and mobile network operators at this year\u2019s investment conference. We are working with business and other social partners to address these challenges and improve the operating environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are also forging ahead with the structural reforms that are so critical to efforts to improve our economic competitiveness. For example, the conclusion last year of the first high-demand spectrum auction in over a decade will substantially increase connectivity and lower the costs of both voice and data services,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n