1. Executive Summary
In a strategic effort to bridge the digital divide and enhance workforce readiness, SayPro (South African Youth Projects) has partnered with Accenture South Africa to deliver comprehensive End User Computing (EUC) training to 400 individuals in Johannesburg. This initiative is aimed at empowering marginalized communities—including youth, women, and the unemployed—with essential digital skills to participate meaningfully in South Africa’s rapidly evolving digital economy. The program is designed to address both digital literacy and employability challenges in one of the country’s most densely populated urban areas.
2. Context and Rationale
2.1 The Digital Economy and Urban Inequality
Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city and economic epicenter, is home to both world-class corporate infrastructure and deeply marginalized urban populations. Despite the presence of multinational corporations and a thriving fintech scene, many residents—especially in townships such as Soweto, Alexandra, and Orange Farm—continue to face barriers to digital inclusion.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has further emphasized the urgent need for basic computing skills, yet access to this foundational education remains limited in underserved parts of Johannesburg. This program directly addresses that gap.
2.2 The Importance of End User Computing
End User Computing (EUC) is a foundational level of digital education that enables individuals to:
- Operate computers and basic software
- Navigate the internet
- Create and manage documents and spreadsheets
- Use email and collaborate online
- Understand digital safety and ethics
These skills are minimum requirements for a wide variety of roles in administration, customer service, finance, logistics, and more.
3. About the Partner Organizations
3.1 SayPro (South African Youth Projects)
SayPro is a non-profit organization established to promote education, skills development, youth empowerment, and social innovation. With a proven record of delivering impactful training programs, SayPro has built partnerships across South Africa to serve both rural and urban communities.
In Johannesburg, SayPro operates several learning hubs and community engagement platforms that will serve as the backbone for this EUC training initiative.
3.2 Accenture South Africa
Accenture is a global leader in technology consulting, strategy, and digital transformation. In South Africa, Accenture actively contributes to community upliftment through programs that advance skills development, gender equality, and digital access.
This partnership with SayPro forms part of Accenture’s corporate social responsibility strategy to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
4. Program Overview
4.1 Objective
The primary objective is to deliver NQF-aligned End User Computing training to 400 individuals in Johannesburg, with the following key goals:
- Improve basic computer literacy and productivity skills
- Increase employability for youth and women
- Create opportunities for further education in IT-related fields
- Foster entrepreneurial readiness among participants
4.2 Geographic Focus Areas
The training will be offered at various SayPro centers and community partners in:
- Soweto
- Johannesburg CBD
- Orange Farm
- Tembisa
- Alexandra
- Roodepoort
- Lenasia
5. Target Beneficiaries
5.1 Demographic Focus
This program is specifically designed to benefit:
- Youth aged 18–35, with limited or no prior computer education
- Women facing barriers to employment
- Unemployed and underemployed individuals
- Informal sector workers and entrepreneurs
- Individuals from low-income households
5.2 Inclusion Criteria
To ensure equitable access, applicants must:
- Reside in Johannesburg or surrounding areas
- Be committed to attending all training sessions
- Demonstrate motivation to improve their employment prospects
- Have basic literacy and numeracy skills
6. Curriculum and Training Structure
6.1 Training Duration and Format
- Duration: 10 weeks
- Total Hours: 120 learning hours
- Delivery Method: Hybrid (In-person + Online)
- Languages of Instruction: English, isiZulu, and Sesotho (with translator support)
6.2 Curriculum Modules
| Module | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Computing | Basics of hardware, software, and digital environments |
| Microsoft Word | Document creation, formatting, editing, and saving |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet operations, data entry, formulas, and chart creation |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Slide creation, visual presentation tools, and delivery skills |
| Email and Online Communication | Email setup, etiquette, internet navigation, Google tools |
| File and Data Management | File storage, folders, cloud platforms (Google Drive, OneDrive) |
| Introduction to Cybersecurity | Password management, online safety, and personal data protection |
| Digital Citizenship | Ethical technology use, digital footprints, and responsible social media usage |
| Workplace Simulation | Mock tasks, document submissions, and team collaboration exercises |
| Final Assessment and Certification | Practical assessments and theory tests to confirm competence |
7. Learning Tools and Support
7.1 Provided Learning Materials
Participants will receive:
- Training manuals and workbooks
- Access to SayPro’s online learning management system
- Practice exercises and project-based tasks
7.2 Technology and Connectivity Support
To ensure no one is left behind due to lack of access:
- Laptops or desktops will be made available at SayPro centers
- Free mobile data vouchers will be issued to participants for online sessions
- Printed resources will be provided for those with limited internet access
8. Certification and Career Support
8.1 Certification
Upon successful completion of the program, learners will be awarded:
- A SayPro and Accenture Co-Branded Certificate in End User Computing
- Recognition aligned with South Africa’s NQF Level 3 outcomes
8.2 Post-Training Pathways
Participants will be connected with:
- Job placement services through SayPro’s employer network
- Access to internships or learnerships in related fields
- Entry into advanced digital training programs (e.g., Data Analytics, ICT Support)
- Entrepreneurial development programs for small business owners
9. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Impact
9.1 Key Indicators of Success
- Enrollment rate: 100% (400 participants)
- Completion rate: Target of 85%
- Certification rate: Minimum of 75%
- Employment or further education rate: Target of 40% within 6 months
- Satisfaction rate: Measured through exit surveys and feedback forms
9.2 Evaluation Methods
- Pre- and post-training assessments
- Ongoing trainer evaluations
- Participant feedback surveys
- Case studies and testimonials
10. Anticipated Impact
10.1 Individual Impact
Participants will gain:
- Confidence in using digital tools
- Improved chances of securing employment
- Access to further learning and self-employment pathways
- Ability to support their families with newly acquired digital competencies
10.2 Community and Economic Impact
- Reduced digital inequality in high-density Johannesburg communities
- Greater inclusion of disadvantaged populations in the digital economy
- Strengthened community knowledge-sharing and digital engagement
- A model for urban upskilling that can be scaled nationally
11. Long-Term Vision and Sustainability
11.1 Future Expansion
The success of this pilot program in Johannesburg will inform plans to:
- Scale to 5,000+ learners across South Africa within the next three years
- Expand curriculum offerings to include coding, data science, and AI literacy
- Develop a train-the-trainer program to empower local facilitators
11.2 Sustainability Strategy
- Use of low-cost open-source educational tools
- Partnerships with local schools and NGOs to share training infrastructure
- Integration with national and municipal digital transformation strategies
12. Conclusion
The partnership between SayPro and Accenture represents a transformative step in equipping Johannesburg’s most vulnerable populations with the tools they need to survive and thrive in a digital world. By training 400 individuals in End User Computing, this initiative is more than a skills program—it’s a gateway to opportunity, independence, and social mobility.
Through this partnership, technology becomes not only a tool for employment but a vehicle for equity, helping to reshape Johannesburg’s future from the ground up.
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