Training institute supports comprehensive access to telecom skills

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19 October 2005 News

While the telecoms industry holds the potential to be a significant contributor to a country's economy, it does require specialist vendors to commit to the transfer of skills in localities.

Lucky Masilela, director of training at the Siemens Training Institute in Tshwane, says South Africa's telecommunications industry - like other technology-related industries - faces a critical skills shortage that is unlikely to be addressed by traditional educational institutions.

"Telecommunications is an exceptionally fast-paced industry with new technologies emerging on a regular basis. Unfortunately, the majority of educational institutions do not have the access to emerging technologies nor the flexibility to be able to adapt quickly to changing market requirements," he says. "In the case of those facilities that are able to offer up-to-date programmes, they are mostly unable to offer practical experience."

Masilela says that while vendors investing in R&D have access to technologies before they hit the market, few of these are willing to extend their training programmes beyond employees, and the companies that have invested in the solutions. Siemens has long recognised that this practice does not facilitate sufficient skills transfer and has opted to open its training facilities to the public.

He says that the role of the Siemens Training Institute is to ensure that any person or company that is interested in the telecoms industry, has access to relevant programmes that are up-to-date and immediately applicable following completion.

Masilela adds that the company's programmes extend beyond traditional technical offerings, "Although Siemens Training Institute does offer an extensive range of technical courses, we also offer programmes that address other market requirements."

As an example, he says senior management charged with making strategic decisions are not interested in learning the nuts and bolts of telecoms systems; however, they still need to be up-to-date on trends, regulations and emerging technologies in order to make informed decisions.

Committed to 'building skills in Africa for Africa', Siemens also uses the Institute to aid the skills transfer aspects of its social development initiatives.

For more information contact Sharon Schön, Siemens Communications, +27 (0)12 678 2751

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Training institute supports comprehensive access to telecom skills

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