Training and Development

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TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

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SINCE 2010 WE HAVE TAKEN OVER 70 INTERNS

Since 2010, redPanda Software has implemented an internship programme whereby the company takes on up to 10 unemployed graduates for a 12-month internship. These internships receive MICT SETA funding, although redPanda Software has self-funded many other interns. To date, the company has taken on over 70 interns, and not surprisingly, most of these interns have remained at the company.

In addition to the initial recruitment process, what differentiates redPanda Software’s approach to interns is the company’s selection and support of mentors. redPanda Software has sent a number of key role-players on mentorship training programmes that are NQF aligned. These programmes have been sponsored by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT). The company has also partnered with experts to spearhead one-on-one coaching sessions with employees.

We place great emphasis on networking and forming key partnerships, and we are, for example, affiliated to the Apprenticeship Game Changer programme with DEDAT in the Western Cape Government. We are also immensely grateful to MICT SETA for their consistent support throughout the years.

Other partnership initiatives include participating in job shadowing and volunteering at Career Awareness days at high schools, colleges and universities.

“Fundamentally, any success within skills development and job creation requires vision and buy-in from leadership,” adds CEO Gareth Hawkey. It has to start at the top, with leaders acknowledging the immense value that youngsters can bring – and the many long-term benefits of actively investing in our youth.”

WESTERN CAPE

Premier Skills Award

At the Premier’s Council on Skills in the Western Cape, on March 2019, the Premier acknowledged redPanda Software’s immense contribution to skills development – honouring the forward-thinking IT company with an Employer’s Recognition Award. Notably, the Premier’s Award recognises redPanda Software as having “played an influencing role in opening up gainful workplace-based training opportunities” as well as effectively leveraging funds to promote skills development.

“It’s a great honour to have received this acknowledgement from the Premier,” said Gareth Hawkey, Group CEO, redPanda Software. “We have been fully committed to skills development over the past several years and it has been intensely rewarding to see the very positive and tangible results of our efforts.”

CAREER AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS

With the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT)

redPanda Software is proud to be associated with the Western Cape Provincial Government’s awareness campaigns to drive richer knowledge of career opportunities in IT.

Recently, the Western Cape Premier handed over an R100 000 prize to Sophumelela Secondary School as the winning school from the Western Cape Government’s Apprenticeship Game Changer Career Awareness competition. This will enable additional Smart Classrooms for the school. We are proud to be one of the sponsors of a tablet which the Premier to individual prize winner Sinazo Gudlu at this event.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Skills Programme

We train not just internally but have also offered external accredited training to our employees including a Project Management Course funded by MICT SETA.

JOB SHADOWING

Oude Moulen School initiative

The Oude Moulen School initiative was spearheaded with DEDAT. Students visited our offices to job shadow within various departments for a day.

BEYOND THE INITIATIVE

redPanda Software actively sends employees on other key training initiatives which include technical, skills and short courses ranging from OHS, Fire Fighting, First Aid, Management Training, CompTIA Network, MTA: Microsoft Technology Associate, MCSA: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate, Office 365 Technical Workshop, to name a few.