COMPUTER TRAINING - OLGAH PHENYA
Computer and Business Fundamentals Training
The main focus of this cost centre is the eight week computer training and business fundamentals course. We run two computer studios and a theory classroom full time, mainly for entry level students. We also run an advanced class and the shorter 35hr. Wits InfoLit classes from time to time during the course of the year.
The studios are seen as a need to address some of the skills shortages of our youth who have left school and are looking for work.
The computer studios offer four types of training:
1. The eight-week full time Workskills Training Programme consisting of Business Fundamentals and Basic and Intermediate Computer Literacy.
2. The six-week full and part-time Advanced Computer Literacy
3. The evening and Saturday Computer Technology class.
4. The 35hr. Wits InfoLit course
All computer courses include typing, Windows, Word, and Excel, with the more advanced classes adding advanced versions of the above and including Power Point, Access, Outlook, the Internet and e-mail. The Business Fundamentals course includes topics such as Business Communication, Self Empowerment, Work Management, Basic Accounts, Economics and Taxation.
Statistics over this reporting period improved over the previous year. We trained a total of 459 students (compared to 358 students in the previous period). 247 were full time students, 55 Saturday class students, 76 evening students and 81 advanced class students. We have realized that in terms of numbers, females are the ones to dominate the classes e.g. in one class of 48 of students, 40 are female and 8 are male.
At the beginning of the year we reviewed our performance in order to improve the marketing of the course. Word of mouth proved to be the most favoured form of recruitment, followed by advertising via posters and pamphlets. We continue to review our performance and try and make sure that our standards are good and of benefit to all our students.
Through teamwork and working together this department ensures that we deliver what is best for the student. Our trainers must deliver at a high standard and at the end of each course each trainer's performance is assessed by the students. Students, before the course starts, are informed by the administrator on what the courseware entails and the expectations and commitment we also expect from them.
The department consists of three full time trainers, two who specialize in computer training and one who specializes in the theory training. There is also a full time administrator (who is also a computer trainer) who is assisted by a volunteer trainee. There is a lot of administrative work involved in the running of this project which includes the recruitment of students to the marking of exam papers and the general smooth running of the office.
We are at a point in our development where we need to formally accredit our studios and this we will be handling in our next reporting period. Apart from upgrading all our studios, we are also investing in our trainers to make sure their skills are completely up to date. Once this is achieved we will then follow the process of getting our whole operation accredited.
Acknowledgements
The Sasol computers donated last year are still going strong and are a pleasure to use.
We would also like to thank Cummins Corporation for their ongoing support of the computer studio which enables us to charge the community minimal attendance fees and helps us through any patches when we do not have full classes.
We would like to thank all our current students for their support, as it is through your participation and support, we in turn are able to continue to assist those students after you.
I would also like to thank the computer team and our assistant for their commitment, input and reliability over the past year.
Overview
National Facilitator And Centre Director - Holly Luton-Nel
Centre Usage And Activities - Ben Mhlongo
Alexsan Community Library - Sonny Mothopeng
Computer Training - Olgah Phenya
Alexsan Youth Desk - Prince Mafora
Alexsan/Life Line Counselling Centre - Iris Maliboho
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