Digital inclusion: fundamentals of ecentre management training programme (2012). A written analysis on community needs; and experiences of ecentre managers (Western Cape)

Abstract

This research report reflects on the experiences of the Digital Inclusion eCentre Management Training Programme delivered in 2012 - to 62 participants from 34 eCentres situated in the Western Cape. This roll-out was a result of a successful pilot which was delivered in 2011 - to 18 participants from 10 eCentres in the Western and Northern Cape regions. The Centre for Innovative Educational and Communication Technologies (CIECT), situated at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), South Africa designed, developed, localised and facilitated the programme. CIECT, as a stakeholder within the Western Cape Knowledge Production and Coordination Hub (WCKPCH) focuses on Digital Inclusion and Social Innovation within Western Cape and Northern Cape communities (rural, deep-rural, urban and peri-urban). The WCKPCH’s main objective is; to produce knowledge and coordinate innovation, existing and complex digital inclusion eSkills initiatives as part of a response to the South African National e-Skills Plan of Action; and aligned to the National Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF). CIECT registered the programme through the South African Quality Authority (National Qualifications Framework/NQF Level 6). The Centre continuously monitors the Programme through research and internal evaluation. This is done in order to report on the impact, lessons learnt and to provide recommendations for further local and national delivery. The programme targeted eCentre Managers and other key role players at the community eCentres such as administrators; and even board members. Participants underwent relevant eSkills training to capacitate and enhance existing skills and knowledge. One of the main goals of the Programme was to capacitate participants to engage in ICT train-the-trainer interventions within their communities. A case study approach was conducted to report on the 2012 Programme and experiences of the selected 62 eCentre Managers across 34 Western Cape eCentres (rural, deep-rural, urban and periurban). Since the aim of the Programme research was to identify community needs in relation to eSkills, the report will discuss findings and provide some recommendations. These findings include: a need for reliable infrastructure; limited time allocated for usage of eCentre services; more efforts needed toward empowering communities; certification of training Projects offered by community eCentres. This research report informs the impact of delivery to eCentres in the Western and Northern Cape; and for national scalability.