Workspace information and communications technology (ICT) services provider Nashua Kopano has expanded its partnership with the Gauteng City-Region Academy (GCRA), with a view of offering internships and a pathway to employment to some of the bursars as they graduate.

It aims to work with its business partners to place students in internships to help them develop practical, on-the-job skills and experience.

Further, Nashua Kopano has since opened the bursary and internship opportunities to male learners from underprivileged backgrounds, in line with its commitment to developing ICT skills to the benefit of the industry and the wider economy.

The company has extended its partnership with GCRA to 2024, and it will provide R500 000 a year to fund ICT-related studies of top-performing, black learners from non-fee-paying schools, but it wants to expand its partnership with the GCRA beyond funding bursaries to helping to develop on-the-job ICT skills.

“Funding to pursue studies and entry-level experience remain significant barriers to entry to the workplace for too many young people in Gauteng. Through this partnership, we aim to not only help talented youths from underprivileged backgrounds to pay for their studies, but also to equip them with workplace experience that helps them to kickstart their careers,” said Nashua MD Chris Kruger.

“Youth development, skills creation and catalysing socioeconomic opportunities are priorities for the Gauteng provincial government. We are pleased to work closely with Nashua Kopano on an initiative that is helping to enhance our province’s competitiveness and improve people’s lives by building skills and creating employment opportunities in the fast-growing ICT sector,” said GCRA CEO Percy Moleke.

Meanwhile, Thabiso Matau, who aspires to become a software engineer, has received a bursary.

“Getting an internship in a tech company will equip me with the experience I need to break into the industry and help me grow as a professional.”