@SamsungSA Empowering Women With Relevant Skills #CSR #SouthAfrica

Hi Friends,

In 1956, 20,000 women marched on the Union Buildings. Sixty-two years later, South Africans both celebrate and honour this important milestone in the nation’s history, by recognising the essential part women play in creating powerful and healthy communities. While there have been enormous changes since then for human rights and the rights of women, there are still areas and sectors where women aren’t naturally included.

According to statistician-general Risenga Maluleke, the unemployment rate for women is higher than that of men, and women are less likely to participate in the labour market.[i] A Stats SA report published in the first quarter of 2018 indicates that “the South African working-age population increased by 153 000 or 0,4 per cent in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the fourth quarter of 2017. The rise in both employment (up by 206 000) and unemployment (up by 100 000) over the quarter led to the rise in the labour force participation rate now standing at 59,3%. The unemployment rate (26,7%) remained unchanged over the first quarter of 2018 compared to the fourth quarter of 2017.”[ii]

In a bid to change the male-dominated landscape of the electronics industry, Samsung have set up the Woman Technical Programme, which has seen numerous disadvantaged women rise above the prospect of unemployment towards a skilled and viable future. To address the gender disparity in the industry and to add to the pool of talented technical specialists required to service and support the growing consumer electronics and mobile phone markets, Samsung encourages women to take part in the technical programme.

Nithia Pillay, Director: Customer Services at Samsung South Africa, says, “Women have been excluded from the electronics field for far too long. Their natural ability to note intricate details and deliver quality work makes them ideal for this sector.”

Women who form part of Samsung’s Women Technical Programme are between the ages of 18 and 25, are from the townships around Ekurhuleni and have already completed a college qualification. If they have not secured employment, they are then accepted onto the programme. They complete a six-month in-depth technical training course, followed by a month of in-service training. After gaining the technical knowledge they need, students are exposed to the public and taught the ins and outs of client service. Students then return to Samsung’s Women Technical Programme to round out their training. Service Centres can offer the fully trained students permanent employment, providing them with the first stepping stone to a career in the electronics sector.

“Samsung is ensuring that women are taking up more space in the electronics field, a much-needed development that we are proud of. Graduates from the programme are all gainfully employed. With another intake in September this year, the number of skilled women within the electronics sector is set to continue rising,” concludes Pillay.

For South Africa to adequately address the dire unemployment rate in the country, the private sector has to get involved. With initiatives such as Samsung’s Women Technical Programme, which afford women dignified and solid career paths, some hope can be seen for South Africa’s future.

 

[i] https://mg.co.za/article/2018-02-13-unemployment-lower-but-black-women-the-youth-remain-the-most-vulnerable
[ii] http://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=11129

 

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Women Technical Programme Empowers 16 #Electronics #Technicians @SamsungSA

Hi Guys, 

In the electronics repair industry, a field where 99% of employees are men, Samsung Electronics South Africa has begun making inroads into these numbers with its Samsung Women Technical Programme. The first 16 graduates of what will be an ongoing programme have recently begun working at Samsung’s various service centres.

The Samsung Women Technical Programme is an initiative that started in November 2015, when 20 female students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds were chosen from a group of some 200 at the Samsung Engineering Academy in Ekurhuleni. These young women had already undergone training on Samsung’s various products and appliances and were then selected for the first-ever training programme specifically for handheld devices.

“They were trained on how to repair various mobile device models, how to conduct updates to software, as well as the different aspects around fixing hardware. The idea was to turn these young women into qualified cell phone technicians,” says Samsung’s Director: SSA Service, Richard Chetty.

“The 16 young ladies who graduated from this course are certified to work on Samsung cell phones and they have been placed at a number of our service centres, where they will undergo a year of practical work in order to gain necessary and valuable experience. Following a final assessment, they will be certified as technicians, which will open up a meaningful career path to them.”

Chetty adds that while similar training programmes have been established in the industry, there is also a tendency for the hosting company’s responsibility to end when the trainees start their careers. However, he indicates that Samsung believes in focusing on things for the longer term, which is why the organisation will remain closely involved in the future development and occupational paths of these graduates. 

“Most importantly, these young ladies are merely the trailblazers of what we hope will become a flood of young female technical learners in South Africa. We are planning to have three intakes every year for women, although each intake will cover a different product focus area,” he explains.

“For example, a course focusing on larger appliances will require the learners to have a valid driver’s licence. In this way, they will not only learn how to service the appliances but will be trained and certified as in-home technicians.” 

Chetty states that Samsung is considering the bigger picture with courses of this nature. They are designed to develop skills and create jobs and will even include training in aspects of entrepreneurship so that future graduates have the opportunity to set up small businesses of their own.

“As a leader in South Africa, Samsung is committed to our responsibility toward our community and our goal of positively impacting on people’s lives. Our Samsung Women Technical Programme proves that job creation, skills development and women empowerment can be achieved. We want to encourage other corporate organisations to contribute to the economy and job creation by getting involved in similar schemes. Samsung is leading the way and we hope others will follow,” concludes Chetty.

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