Curvin Glen Vicks (24)
What work did you do before you came to the I-CAN Centre?
I started out as a Van Assistant at Simba Chips for 3 years. After matric, I had no funds to further tertiary training. It was always my desire to go into the IT field. I was also unhappy being a Van Assistant, as my life was always in danger in travel to specific areas in Cape Town.
How did you hear about the I-CAN Centre?
I learnt about the I-CAN Centre when our pastor mentioned it on a Sunday morning. He spoke about opportunities for youth that takes place at the I-CAN Centre. I went to visit the I-CAN Centre and was astound at the services and courses they offered for youth.
What courses did you complete at the I-CAN Centre?
I completed the following courses at the I-CAN Centre, IT Essentials, IC3 Digital Literacy, Web Design and Digital Entrepreneurship. The I-CAN Centre then sent me to College of Cape Town (CCT) to further my technical studies. I completed my Cisco Training, then placed at SABEN (South African Broadband Educational Networks) for a 6 month internship.
How has the I-CAN Centre courses impacted your Fu-ture?
The internship at SABEN prepared me for the IT workplace. Although I planned to apply for other opportunities after the internship, the company saw it fit to employ.
With the employment, I took the responsibility to specialize in VOIP (Voice over IP), a new technology offered by the company. This specialization area has allowed me to provide facilitation (training) to our clients in Cape Town and Johannesburg. I am to grow my understanding in Microsoft Azure platform to assist the company in growing new clients for this latest technology. I am grateful for the I-CAN Centre who became my launchpad for success.
Dylan Grammar (24)
What work did you do before you came to the I-CAN Centre?
I was working as an Admin Clerk for Rest Assured Life, an Insurance company, before I started studying at the I-CAN Centre. I always had a desire to venture into the IT industry, but were looking for an affordable institution to further my studies.
How did you hear about the I-CAN Centre?
I was recommended by my friend who studied at the I-CAN Centre.
What courses did you complete at the I-CAN Centre?
I completed the 6 month IT Web Specialist and IT Fundamentals, Cyber Security courses
How has the I-CAN Centre courses impacted your Future?
It has opened new opportunities in my life with regards to knowledge and work. It has helped me gain a greater understanding about computers and helped me gain a better position within the company I work for. I am now a Junior Web Developer working on the back-end system of the company. My aim is further my programming skills to build applications to make the world a better place.
Carin-Ann Mckay (22)
What work did you do before you came to the I-CAN Centre?
Assistant and Data Capturer – Recording of timesheets in Excel, Calculating employee’s wages on Pastel. Assistant Teacher, Rosendal Primary School (2016 Recordkeeping, e.g. class attendance and grading, Helping students one-on-one, Preparing lessons, Setting up equipment e.g. computers Assistant Admin Clerk), School of Public Leadership (University of Stellenbosch Campus) (2017), Organising / arranging meetings, Managing databases / filing systems, Booking travel transport, Managing / updating Facebook Page. With all the duties outlined above, I was very confused which career to venture.
How did you hear about the I-CAN Centre?
I saw an ad on their Facebook page. My dad who had previously done a course there, motivated me to register for my first course at the I-CAN Centre.
What courses did you complete at the I-CAN Centre?
Mobile App Development, Web Design, Adobe Fireworks CS6, Social Media Integration Online Newsletter, Intro to HTML and CSS, The Online Marketing Fundamentals.
How has the I-CAN Centre courses impacted your Future?
Since I’ve completed these courses at the I-CAN Centre, I was inspired to follow a career path in IT. With the encouragement and recommendation of Mr. L. Scholtz, I enrolled for more courses at the College of Cape Town, an opportunity from the I-CAN Centre. Since then I have completed the following courses: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) (2017) course. I am currently doing an Oracle Java Programming Course at On The Ball College, through an I-CAN relationship with the institution. My aim is to combine my technical training with software development to build applications that will better the lives of people. The I-CAN Centre have opened these doors for me and has given me the opportunity to continue to explore my future within the IT industry.
Tershia Benjamin (31) Internship
What work did you do before you came to the I-CAN Centre?
Before I came to The I-CAN Centre, I worked full-time as an Office Administrator.
How did you hear about the I-CAN Centre?
I heard about The I-CAN Centre through Social Media (Facebook).
What courses did you complete at the I-CAN Centre?
I completed the IC3 Digital Literacy course and the Cyber Security course in November 2017.
How has the I-CAN Centre courses impacted your Future?
The courses mentioned above sparked a desire within me to pursue a career in IT, and a desire to further my studies within this field as technology. I want to do my little bit to give or have an impact in the IT industry. Due to financial constraints, I could not pursue my dreams in completing IT Server Engineer studies, after completing courses at the I-CAN Center. With support of the I-CAN partnerships within the IT Industry, I applied for an internship at BCX (College of Cape Town and Capacity) and was accepted. The BCX ICT Infrastructure Program is a 9 month face-to-face program and 6 months of experiential learning. Upon completion of the internship, an employment opportunity will be awarded. I’ve never had that opportunity to study and i never felt like i found my purpose until recently. I am grateful that God has sent people on my way for them to invest in my future.