Uber South Africa recently hosted an Innovation Masterclass to boost the education of students aged 16 and 17, 100 students benefitted from the day.
Durban, South Africa – With at least 1 in 3 youth being unemployed in South Africa, there is now more than ever, a need to empower students to broaden their career prospectus into industries they may not consider nor have knowledge about. The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) industry is a field leading the pack, and Uber together with local tech non-government organisations hosted the fourth Innovation Masterclass over the weekend in Durban at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, to show their continued investment in this field.
Over 100 students, between the ages of 16 and 17, from underprivileged schools in Durban and 40 youths from Uber’s driver-partners base, were given the opportunity to learn and engage with industry professionals within the STEM industry to explore, understand and possibly consider vital careers for their future.
Smartipants Education provided students with engaging workshops in Drone Technology and Robotics, with students learning how to build their own robots. A coding class was also provided to students courtesy of Gomolelo Mohapi a Microsoft student partner and TP 15 Geeks of South Africa, teaching them the digital language and how to apply it. Ten other University graduate volunteers and 13 Engineer graduates training in Arduino and robotics also attended the event, alongside four other key industry experts, to provide further insights within the STEM industry.
Yolisa Kani, Head of Public Policy for Uber Southern Africa, explains her passion for the project,
“Many of these students do not have access to the necessary resources required to explore STEM and all that it offers due to the expenses associated with the specific material needed, which is why I am thrilled that this is our fourth Masterclass, as we have the opportunity to change lives.”
According to the World Economic Forum, South Africa currently ranks at 128, within the bottom ten of countries surveyed, for standards of education in Math and Science. Proving that there needs to be a vested interest within South Africa to improve on this for future generations, as it is predicted that by 2020, 80% of jobs will require skills derivative of STEM.
Kani explains, “With years of experience in a variety of markets, both locally and internationally, I understand how STEM has redesigned the job market, and the importance of having skills associated with it which is why this year’s theme was “Future of Work”.
Since the launch of the Innovation Masterclass Uber together with their partners, have already impacted on over 400 youth in the cities of Johannesburg and Durban. This year Uber would like to broaden their prospects and extend the Innovation Masterclasses across the country, in areas and communities where their driver-partners exist. More details to follow.