Subscribe now and get the latest ICT news
to your inbox for free!
IT
Training
Wanted:
Professionals For Computer Schools Stories by FRANCA ENEGBETA
It
is an undisputable fact that the information
technology profession is a continuous, dynamic
and evolving one. The very field of computing
and the rapid changes it has introduced
in day-to-day business has made the computer
indispensable. It is also a known fact that
a survey of the total human resource needs
of organizations show that there is a dearth
of well qualified thoroughbred professionals
in IT.
In a world driven by knowledge economy,
organization heads, corporate bodies etc,
are being motivated by a sheer desire to
contribute to the efforts of bridging the
digital divide. But even as this has become
a vision to entrepreneurs, the need to restructure
computer centres and training institutions
to meet with required standard
should
be emphasized.
Since the advent of the computing economy, individuals
have risen with a right motive to contribute positively
while others mainly aim to join the band of technology
shakers without really being part of the band
advocating for a positive change, or worse still
having no knowledge of the activities of the band.
To this later set, “there is a shift in
other sectors (banks, oil etc), the boom is now
in ICT, and so we move along”. The result
of this is that we see computer institutes that
function below the required standard.
During the Independence Day holidays, I took a
trip down to a town in the Middle Belt and got
a shock of my life when I located a popular computer
school and asked to have a chat with the head
of the esteemed computer institute. Before I proceeded,
he asked what my questions were likely to be and
I told him I was concentrating on his institute's
contributions to the host community.
He
actually laughed and told me he can't answer
my questions because he had no knowledge of
the computer himself. To him, that was what
he heard the world was going and since there
was money at his disposal, he decided to invest
on it.
Baffled, I asked him “how can you give
out what you don't have”. “The
students depend on the availability of a serving
IT knowledgeable corp member” he said.
A situation I know is not regular due to the
locality. It is sad to note that my friend
is not alone in this game of acquiring wealth
in mediocrity
It is also sad to note that majority of Nigerians
believe that a mastery of the use of a certain
computing features and facilities makes them
IT professionals which is very far from the
truth. The person practicing in IT must have
knowledge in the field
of
IT and qualified to perform the tasks that follow
the job.
According to Prof. SBA Njoku, foundation chairman
of Computer Professionals Registration Council
of Nigeria, (CPN), the IT professional must have
relevant and adequate computing skills, a demonstrated
ability in terms of having successfully carried
out computer based solution to problems.
He should have an in-depth knowledge of his segment
of the computing industry and a fairly complete
understanding of the computing industry as a whole
in order to provide a frame of reference for new
products and services. He should know where to
find the right answers to posed questions instead
of trying to know everything and ending up being
master of none.
He should be familiar with hardware and software
requirements, and finally have a programming capability
in understanding the design philosophy behind
the software and systems being evaluated.
The IT professional must have a right blend of
technical and business skills which include, marketing,
personnel, finance and accounting, general management
and business law to succeed and function effectively.
He should not allow the urge of being on one's
own becloud his judgments guiding him to join
the IT consulting ranks with a half baked knowledge
because there is a difference between what the
text books say and what obtains in real life situations.
He must have a sufficient business knowledge or
aptitude.
Omatek
Promotes ICT in youths
As part of efforts to bridge the
digital divide between generations, Omatek computers in partnership
with Digital Peers International (DPI) has organized a holiday
camp designed to develop information communication technology
(ICT) capabilities in children/youths.
Announcing this recently in Lagos, Omatek General Manager South,
Emomine Mukoro, said that the initiative was intended to impart
computer knowledge into the children at an early stage as part
of Omatek's e-youth initiative to 'catch them young'.
He said that the liberalization of the country's ICT sector
by the government has not only boosted Omatek's competitive
edge as a player in the InfoTech sector in Nigeria, but as a
recognized brand in sub Saharan Africa.
He noted that Omatek has also provided an opportunity for the
youths to own computers
through the company's flexible payment scheme called the e-express
initiative, which allows the payment to be spread over 1224 months.
In her remarks at the occasion, Digitest Coordinator, Ibukun Odusote
said the choice of Omatek as the ICT solutions company for the holiday
camp was borne out of a proven track record of performance and durable
products which can stand the test of time, urging participants to
patronize Omatek's products owing to its modest features and unrivalled
after sales service.
The company which recently turned 21 has been in the vanguard of
creating platforms where computers and other IT tools would not
only become a ready tool among youths but would also penetrate into
the rural and underserved areas as a way of bridging the digital
divide between the urban and rural dwellers.
Since 1982,
New Horizons Computer Learning Centers has grown to become the largest
independent IT training company worldwide. They offer more courses
at more times and in more locations than any other computer and
business training company.
Businesses and individuals can choose from hundreds of course offerings,
delivered by experts, and offered in hundreds of convenient locations
around the world. For many small, medium and large organizations,
New Horizons is the single source for all their IT training needs.
Their customized enterprise solutions allow corporate training managers
the ability to easily administer their learning programs and track
the progress of all participating employees.
Maximizing the investment in training is important for all companies,
and New Horizons assists each client with the management and measurement
of their training activities. The variety of learning options from
New Horizons allows students to learn in the manner that best suits
their schedule, budget, learning style and expertise.
New Horizons also provides comprehensive and cost-effective training
for individuals looking to expand their IT skills in their current
professions or looking to take the first step toward new careers.
With courses available online, mentored and in traditional classroom
settings, New Horizons has a flexible educational solution that
fits one's learning style, budget and schedule.
The firm's Integrated Learning
is a comprehensive approach to training that guides each learner through
all stages of their learning lifecycle. It consists of five components
- Assess, Learn, Reinforce, Support and Validate- and combines classroom
and eLearning products and
services to create
the most effective learning experience available in the industry.
Whether the training is for one individual or several hundred employees
in multiple locations across the globe, New Horizons has a training
program to fit any company or any individual need by delivering a
full range of technical, application and business skills training
solutions.
One thing that distinguishes this establishment from others is that
the students accomplish more than just learn the latest technologies.
The success of customers the management said is realized through training
classes, while the foundation
of New Horizons is
based on inspiring students and companies to become more productive and
successful in their daily activities. This is because knowledge transferred
is enhanced by engaging the learner in real work - real life situations.
New Horizons is the world's No.1 ICT Training Institution according to IDC
Report 2006, winner of the best ICT Training Institution in Nigeria for
2007, ICT Africa Awards, as well as the two time winner (2006/2007) for
the best ICT Training Institution in West Africa (Direct Marketing Association
of West Africa).
The Centre's motto, 'Everything Is Possible' clearly depicts the role New
Horizons wishes to play in the lives of Nigerians, that of making ICT &
Business skills that have life transforming effect available to all those
who desire to develop themselves and make something great out of their lives.
It goes without saying that the greatest challenge facing the Nigerian youth
today is un-employability i.e. the lack of required skills needed by industry.
Year after year, thousands of youths are graduated from higher institutions
into unemployment, the vast majority goes
without jobs for months even
for years, and when they do secure employment it is for menial fee,
which is itself under-employment.
In a report by Nigeria's former Minister of Education, Dr (Mrs.) Oby
Ezekwelisi in 2006, it was discovered that 70% of Nigerian youths
were unemployed, underemployed or unemployable. She stated that between
2000 and 2009,
the country
would have succeeded in training 10 Million highly skilled criminals if
nothing is done.
It is this anomaly that New Horizons, the foremost IT Training institution
in the world set as a challenge for itself to reduce in Nigeria and even
remove the mediocrity in IT education.
To achieve this, New Horizons organized a job fair at the national stadium
early this year, an event that was attended by well over 10,000 people from
all parts of the country. The purpose of the fair was to provide individuals
with critical information from renowned industry experts on how to become
employable thereby living successful productive professional lives.
It was in keeping with this tradition that on October 18th this year, over
10,000 youths comprising students, IT practitioners among others gathered
for this year's youths and job fair seminar 2008.
Speaking at the event, the MD/CEO New Horizons Nigeria, Tim Akano stated
that the essence of the job fair was to sensitize Nigerians on IT education,
wealth creation and above all equip them with the necessary knowledge for
greatness.
Presenting a paper he titled Starting Small And Ending Big, he listed the
seven steps for greatness to include, intuition, people, resources, audacity,
purposeful concentration, management and shunning evil practices in business.
“Having recurring
dreams, passion that will not die, and interest that will not go away
is key factor for greatness”, he said. He admonished that for
a successful business, an executive must recruit for the three reasons
of Attitude, Intelligence and Integrity as hiring people you cannot
fire will only lead to resource decline.
He also noted
that God does not create new money but has given to man all the necessary
resources that man needs which includes, talent or skills, current position,
family, friends, free service at spare time, and present assets stating
that nothing happens outside of belief, audacity and faith in yourself and
what you can do.
Also speaking at the event, Ayo Arowolo, CEO Money Wise, enjoined youths
to learn to discover their passion, brand the passion and cash the brand
as becoming a brand can transform them into walking millionaires. The foundation
for wealth creation he said was to first of all understand the purpose for
wealth as inability to clarify this question can lead to desperation that
see people ready to do anything to make money including using human being
as sacrifice, putting money in wonder banks among other social vices.
Speaking earlier at a recent ICT event, Tim Akano reiterated that New Horizons
came to Nigeria with the purpose of adding value to people's lives by giving
them skills that is life changing and exceeds industry requirements.
He stated that the firm is working in synergy with its theme campaign for
making world-class ICT Certification skills acquisition accessible to Nigerian
universities. According to him, it is the first company to successfully
partner with Nigerian universities and integrate professionally based ICT
certification Training with academic programme.
The universities include Babcock, Covenant (winner of the ICT private university
of the year awards), Crawford, Crescent, and Lead City and at University
of Ibadan (UI) and Lagos State University (LASU).
