The South Africa Information and Communication Technology Association (SAICTA) is set to bolster a skills development initiative designed to equip ICT professionals at every career stage with the tools they need to thrive in an AI-driven digital economy.
“South Africa has exceptional technological talent, but we need to ensure our professionals have not just technical skills, but the full range of capabilities to compete globally,” says SAICTA CEO, Dr Jannie Zaaiman. “That’s why we’re building a comprehensive ecosystem that supports ICT professionals from their first job application through to leadership roles,” he adds.
SAICTA’s 151 professional multi-level skills development programmes address a critical gap often overlooked in traditional education of the practical skills needed to enter and advance in the workforce.
Young professionals entering the field will receive targeted training in CV development, workplace etiquette, and interview techniques – essential skills that can make or break early career opportunities.
Mid-career and senior professionals will access advanced courses in time management and project management fundamentals to grow their leadership capabilities.
Its Digital Dawn Breakfast Session, held in Parktown on Friday, 10 October, was filled to capacity as Oracle executives discussed “Powering Collaboration: Navigating OEM & Vendor Partnerships for Success”.
SAICTA’s mid-month masterclass featured Florin Grigorescu from Romania on 17 October, on “The Agentic Automation Era: Driving Autonomy & Smarter Decisions” will demonstrate this approach.
“All our masterclasses bring together industry leaders and professionals to share cutting-edge knowledge and best practices,” says Dr Zaaiman. Additional masterclasses will be offered throughout the course of next year in conjunction with its sister organisation, Technology Information Confederation Africa (TICON Africa).
Beyond training, SAICTA will provide an industry-specific job portal connecting ICT professionals with opportunities across South Africa, serving everyone from graduates to certified experts.
“Through networking opportunities, we connect outstanding talent with companies seeking skills in high-demand areas that supplement the shift to AI,” says Dr Zaaiman.
Dr Zaaiman adds that “the job portal isn’t just about listings but building networks, fostering mentorship, and ensuring South African ICT talent can find opportunities matching their capabilities”.
In addition to these initiatives, SAICTA’s Annual Excellence Awards, with nominations closing on 30 October, will celebrate outstanding talent across several categories, including ICT Company of the Year, ICT Professional of the Year, Women in Tech Excellence Award, Young ICT Trailblazer, and Startup of the Year.
“The awards serve as both recognition and inspiration, showcasing the depth of talent within the local industry,” says Dr Zaaiman.
This year will also place a strong emphasis on elevating women in the ICT sector through two calls for papers facilitated by SAICTA’s sister organisation, the Technology Information Confederation Africa (TICON Africa).
Submissions close on 15 February, and the selected papers which focus on women’s representation in ICT and pan-African digital laws and compliance, will be published in journals distributed across the continent.
“Both papers seek to enable more women to succeed in the ICT arena while showcasing the talent we already have to encourage younger females to enter this exciting field,” says Dr Zaaiman.
SAICTA is calling on ICT professionals and companies across South Africa to join this unified platform, which also provides access to four sub-committees that enable professionals to hone additional skills such as in research or events. Membership offers access to the full suite of skills development programmes, networking opportunities, and industry resources.
“Our aim is to become the unified voice and premier networking platform for ICT companies and professionals, fostering growth, collaboration, innovation, and global competitiveness,” says Dr Zaaiman.
Dr Zaaiman notes “it’s vital that we show the world that we have the skills and infrastructure to take part in this exciting technology revolution catalysed by AI enhancements. This starts with investing in our people and is a tangible outcome of our mandate to unify, upskill, and accelerate growth in the ICT industry.”