Digital Artisans

Strengthening digital minds

The founding partners in this project are WooThemes, RLabs, Silulo, Webgrowth and the GivenGain Foundation South Africa. We have a common vision and objective to make a difference in our city and our nation by providing a stepping-stone for school leavers and the digitally passionate unemployed to get back into the job market.

Creating Digital Artisans

Before Web 2.0, high school graduates would either enter into tertiary education or take up an artisan trade. Today, with the innovations of social media, apps and content management platforms like WordPress, school leavers can find jobs building the world around them, not with bricks and cement, but out of clicks and content.  Much like traditional artisans such as electricians and mechanical technicians, training is a combination of theory and practical instruction under the guidance of an expert. The GROW Academy recreates this environment through boot camps that cover theory lead by an industry expert. Students are then given an opportunity to practice their skills on the Internet under guidance.

Want to become a Digital Artisan? Click here to apply.

Boot Camp 2012

The first Boot Camp for 2012 took place from 9-13 January at GivenGain’s premises in Stellenbosch.  20 recruits from Stellenbosch, Athlone and Khayelitsha were enrolled in the week-long program consisting of modules in Social Media, Web Design and Development, SEO, and Crowdsourcing.  The aim of the Boot Camp programme is to provide a stepping-stone for school leavers and the digitally passionate unemployed to get back into the job market.

Internship Programme

Graduates from the GROW Academy Boot Camp are offered the opportunity to practically apply the skills they’ve learned as interns, hosted by local non-profit organisations. This is a great opportunity for them to apply their skills in social media, web design, SEO and crowdsourcing, in a practical environment.  These non-profit organisations are all based in the greater Cape Town area and will act as hosts and mentors during the Internship Programme.  Completing an internship not only gives a person practical experience, but also increases their appeal to future employers.  The GROW Academy is currently in the process of placing graduates from the January Boot Camp in the internship programme.

UCT Internet Super User Course and Business Writing Course

GetSmarter in collaboration with the The University of Cape Town’s Information Systems Department and the GROW Academy, is pleased to offer the UCT Internet Super-User course to the January 2012 Boot Camp graduates. The Internet has changed the way we communicate, research, learn, transact, work and socialise. It has also changed the way we participate in the economy by opening up opportunities for new forms of employment through the creation of new industries.

We want our GROW recruits to become highly skilled and accredited by outstanding international institutions – digital artisans building with ‘clicks’ instead of bricks.

GROW Boot Camp graduates will have the opportunity to take these courses for a nominal fee:

The Business Writing Course will be starting on 7 May and the Internet Super User Course on 14 May 2012. Stay posted for details on when to register for this exciting learning opportunity!