redAcademy is a stand-alone organisation with a clear goal : give carefully chosen , talented South Africans the opportunity to sprint into their IT careers by working closely with industry-leading redPanda Software senior developers and customers , designed to fasttrack careers in the real world . The company has launched an academy to help it fast-track software development skills and careers for youths in South Africa .
AFRICA
REGIONAL CHANNELS
AFRICA
redPanda Software , a provider of retail enterprise software development , has announced the launch of redAcademy , a standalone software development training academy which will give high school graduates the opportunity to fast-track their IT careers by offering relevant and up-todate skills development and on-the-job training to guarantee employment if they complete the year .
Jessica Carroll , MD , redAcademy , said the academy ’ s mission is to provide real opportunities for young people while developing a sustainable pipeline of employable software developers to benefit redPanda Software , its clients and the IT industry at large .
“ The youth unemployment rate was at a record 64.4 % in the second quarter of 2021 . It is clear that talented young South Africans don ’ t have enough options to start out in IT generally and software development specifically , yet the sector faces a critical skills shortage . This is a paradox we set out to solve ,” said Carroll .
“ We landed on redAcademy , which is designed to fast-track young people ’ s careers . Rather than replace existing training academies , redAcademy has been designed to complement efforts to bring more South Africans into the workforce by proactively developing skilled IT professionals . It is the most efficient route from matric to a software development career .”
After being selected to take part in the programme , ‘ Sprinters ’ – as redAcademy calls them – will be exposed to a realworld software development environment . “ Ultimately , we will develop employable and competent developers , which is why we ’ ll guarantee jobs for successful sprinters who have adhered to the terms of their contract – things such as attendance , displaying company values and successfully completing industry relevant projects ,” Carroll explained .
Gareth Hawkey , CEO , redPanda Software , said that being on the pulse of some of the biggest and most innovative enterprise projects means the business understands where the industry is , where it is going , and which skills it needs , and so opening
Jessica Carroll , MD , redAcademy redAcademy was an obvious next step . “ By bringing these young people into our offices , onto site and into our culture , we help them build networks while learning real , practical skills . This programme has one goal – to turbocharge young people ’ s careers so they can start working , earning , and climbing the software development career ladder .”
Carroll agreed with Hawkey and added that the redAcademy Sprint programme will comprise six months theory led by a professional lecturer and six months practical . “ Our training doesn ’ t happen in a lecture hall , but in a live office environment . Those that are selected will be guided by senior real-word developers , to develop working solutions for real customers , using the most-used and relevant coding languages . A redAcademy Sprinter graduate will walk into a career – that ’ s what we think has largely been missing . There is demand for skills , so now it ’ s about addressing the supply .”
According to redAcademy , it is inviting all young , passionate people who have finished matric to apply for one of the Sprinter positions by making contact via its website . Shortlisted candidates will undergo a few rounds to ensure that they are a good match for the high-paced environment . “ The ideal candidates will have a positive attitude , passion , believe in teamwork , take pride in their work , accept accountability and be problem-solvers . They don ’ t have to know coding yet – we will teach them that ,” she said . •
REDACADEMY LAUNCHED TO FAST- TRACK YOUNG PEOPLE INTO SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT CAREERS
INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS 33