GEORGE NEWS - A brand-new technology laboratory (tech lab) was recently opened at the George Youth Café to help prepare the youth of George for employment through improving their digital literacy skills.
The Western Cape department of social development, in collaboration with Eskom and the Southern Cape Film Youth Festival (Suff), started the tech lab initiative late last year.
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) offers a basic computer training course of two weeks, which is accredited, as well as small business training. The computer course aims to help youth understand digital identity and the safeguarding of their information.
George speaker Gerrit Pretorius is delighted and proud to be part of such a project, more so because George and the Western Cape are forerunners in this initiative. He indicated that he will do his utmost to assist the youth centre. As ward councillor for Ward 22, which is mostly made up of rural areas, he would want to make these opportunities available to rural youth.
"It is unfair to miss out on these opportunities because of a lack of transport," he said. Pretorius reminded the youth that they need to strive and persist to achieve greatness.
"Remember, Microsoft and Google didn't just happen, Bill Gates had to work thousands of hours to achieve what he did."
Pretorius got a chuckle from the attending youth when he said the first computer he saw was in 1980, called the St Claire, and had a memory of 1KB.
George speaker Gerrit Pretorius and Liz Dekker of Eskom cut the ribbon at the opening of the tech lab at the George Youth Café. With them are Annique Arries of Suff and Lionel Arnolds of the department of social development.
Liz Dekker of Eskom, that sponsored the container, 20 laptops and software for the tech lab, said she is very proud of what was achieved and hopes the George Youth Café will go from strength to strength.
Lionel Arnolds of the department of social development thanked everyone involved for the solid partnerships. He said the department's goal is to make the programmes of the Youth Café part of the Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) of municipalities.
"We are digital citizens living in a global village and life is easier for those understanding technology, especially young people who would wish to further their studies."
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