Celebrations galore as Estates and Custodial Services staff upskill in digital literacy

It was celebrations all around as a large group of the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Estates and Custodial Services staff – a division of the Properties and Services (P&S) Department – were acknowledged for their commitment to improving their digital literacy skill set and learning how to confidently use technological devices.

After successfully completing the digital literacy programme, the group received their certificates during a special event held in the John Day building on upper campus on Monday, 15 July. The event marked a significant milestone in their personal and professional journeys and demonstrated their commitment to continuous learning.

Facilitated by UCT’s Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS) department’s training team, the digital literacy programme has two goals: to equip staff with the skills and knowledge they need to use technology devices such as a laptop, desktop and tablet; and to teach them to access important online employee systems like payslips, leave requests and email. Technological terminology and how to use LinkedIn Learning, Excel, Outlook, Word and Teams were all part of the short course.

“We are here because of you… you have made us proud.”

The programme has been in the works since July 2022 and dozens of staff have signed up to participate. Come rain, wind, or sunshine, the cohort eagerly attended weekly training sessions in venues across campus – showcasing their diligence and willingness to learn.

“This is a very, very important and gracious occasion for all of us, especially for our colleagues [in recognition] of their achievements. We are here because of you, and we want to acknowledge [the work] you have done. You have made us proud,” said Sifiso Tshuma, the senior manager of Estates and Custodial Services.

Celebrating success

Tshuma said the certification ceremony was organised to honour the dedicated group of colleagues who have shown “exceptional commitment” and persevered to successfully complete the programme.

He acknowledged that it’s not always easy to fully commit to a short course and listed several reasons, including the various responsibilities each member of the team needs to fulfil at work, as well as those responsibilities at home. These, he said, often make learning more complex. But it failed to deter colleagues in the room.

“It’s not easy to navigate this space, to sit and to learn at our age, when we are thinking of so many [of our] responsibilities. When you are sitting in class thinking of the jobs and the duties and your role and responsibilities you have left [behind]. But you have managed to solider on. You have managed to conquer,” Tshuma said.

Embracing new technologies

By completing this programme, Tshuma said the cohort have also shown their eagerness to embrace new technologies and tools that will help to enhance their individual skill set. And in turn, he added, they’ve learned skills that will enable them to contribute positively to the department’s and the university’s success long-term.

“We embrace the three pillars of UCT’s Vision 2030: excellence, transformation and sustainability. You have chosen to transform yourselves through self-development, which characterises excellence. Transformation starts with yourself [because] if we are not transformed, it becomes very difficult to transform the workspace and to transform our colleagues and the environment. Excellence comes through transformation; sustainability comes through transformation,” he said.

“You’ve decided to transform yourselves and that is a very good step forward.”

‘We need a chance’

Mbuleli Sandi, who’s been a member of UCT’s cleaning staff since 2003 and who participated in the programme, said he enjoyed learning the ins and outs of a computer, which was all new to him. He also described the programme as a stepping stone that will hopefully lead to new opportunities at the university.

Having reached the finish line, Sandi said he understands that the real work starts now, and that requires putting what he’s learned to good use, practically. He said his dream is to be able to use his training to further develop himself within the university and to become another of the department’s success stories.

“But to get there, I need a chance. We need a chance,” he said.