Career Planet

What is Cloud Computing?

Team Career Planet — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 03:58:25 +0000

CLOUD COMPUTING CAREERS

Simply put, cloud computing is the delivery of computing services – including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics and intelligence – over the Internet (“the cloud”) to offer faster innovation, flexible resources and economies of scale. Typically, an organisation only pays for cloud services they use, helping lower operating costs, run infrastructure more efficiently and scale as needs change.

Cloud computing examples that you will already know include social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; services such as Netflix and Uber – as well as business solutions such as Office 365, Teams, OneDrive.

Cloud computing is at the heart of modern technology solutions. Organisations increasingly embrace ‘Digital Transformation’ to become more agile, competitive and productive.

Cloud enables businesses to access ‘evergreen’, secure, flexible computing and software from any location at any time at any scale they need. Public Cloud services from global companies like Microsoft, Google and Amazon also provide advanced features such as data analytics and artificial intelligence in a much more affordable and accessible way than before.

Most organisations have used Cloud computing within their operations in some form – often simpler services such as email or backup, but Cloud is increasing the only option for all their future computing needs.

This demand for Cloud solutions is driving a massive demand for Cloud professionals who can help design, develop and support these solutions. By opting for a career in Cloud you will help businesses transform their technology and embark on a life-long journey of learning that will be sought after around the world for decades to come.

Source: Cloud Direct

Self-starter empowers others.

laeniadmin — Sat, 07 May 2022 10:54:57 +0000

Self-starter, Nkgetheleng Bocheletsana is the proud owner of Prince Mosia 24/7 ECD. She started this venture in 2019 as a part-time job, while she was completing her 18 months of practical work experience as part of her National Certificate in Educare.

Her business provides child care services to parents who work night shifts and over weekends. Sadly, due to space constraints she is limited to the number of clients she can cater to at any given time. Providing a safe place for children to learn and grow holistically, Nkgetheleng identified a gap in the market and was looking to expand her business capabilities. This was her motivation to participate in the False Bay TVET College Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator programme.

Her unique business offering was noted for its potential and won the 2021 Poster and Pitch Competition. She was awarded a Heat Press, attachments and starting consumables to the value of R30,000 – along with a cash prize of R10,000 to reinvest in her business. Nkgetheleng can now diversify her business offering and substitute her income until she is able to secure larger premises.

You would be surprised to know that Nkgetheleng is a professional civil and construction engineer and she proudly states that she can build, using her own hands. This however was not her true calling. “Children fascinate me and it makes me happy to see them thrive in a safe and stimulating environment,” says Nkgetheleng.   During her studies with False Bay TVET College, she continued to achieve top results at each certificate level, because teaching is her passion. Nkgetheleng has applied to study further at the University of the Western Cape, with ambitions to wear that red gown in education.

Nkgetheleng remains actively involved in her community, with the reading club, tutoring and facilitating at Lovelife Trust NGO. Maintaining an active lifestyle, she promotes healthy living with the youth through running and game activities.
Nkgetheleng’s advice is to “Find your passion and purpose, then set smart goals. Know that anything is possible, as long as you keep your eyes on your goals and set reasonable time frames to achieve them. Don’t stop because you are tired, keep going and find other strategies if you experience a setback to make your dreams come true.”
We look forward to seeing her next move and continue to wish her well in her future endeavours.

Saeeda Dekoker excels with Saeeda’s Kitchen

laeniadmin — Sun, 08 May 2022 08:42:47 +0000

Saeeda Dekoker completed her National Certificate in Hospitality in 2007 and since 2020 is the proud owner of her own catering business Saeeda’s Kitchen Pty ltd.

Now in demand and servicing large events, Saeeda is a preferred supplier preparing mouth-watering cuisine for A-list guests including beauty pageant winners, sports personalities and politicians.

More recently Saeeda freelanced for Green Catering / Life and Brand who serviced the 2022 Cape Epic Cycle Tour, feeding 1200 cyclists and 600 crew on a daily base, for nine consecutive days.

Whatever the event requirements, large or small, Saeeda takes great satisfaction in preparing delicious meal options, mostly in make shift kitchens which adds to the challenge of creating quality, healthy meal options.

Prior to starting her own business, Saeeda completed her Work Integrated Learning experience with Southern Sun Cape Sun. Here she worked under exceptionally talented chefs who taught her large-scale cooking techniques and recipe creation.

Thereafter, she joined Green Caterers, a leader in the onsite event catering business. She made it her business to learn as much as she could, keeping her goal in mind to start her own business. When Covid-19 hit and the events and hospitality industry was crippled, Saeeda took the opportunity to freelance as a private event chef. Wanting to cater to larger events, she needed to get her business registered and the administration processes in place. Today, she employs five individuals and is growing a reputation for a creative approach to traditional Cape Malay favourites.

Saeeda advises all new students to remember that they can be anything in life. “If you stay focused and work hard, you can achieve your dreams, because dreams can come true, even if it means being your own boss,” she says.

If you are looking for a professional caterer for your next event, give Saeeda’s Kitchen Pty ltd. a call on 078 219 1669 for a quotation.

From Grade 9 to PhD through TVET College.

laeniadmin — Sat, 04 May 2024 08:29:50 +0000

We caught up with Lebohang when we were informed of his application to complete his Doctorate in Higher Education.

Having started his study career with False Bay TVET College in 2008 with a Grade 9 Certificate, he elected to study for a National Certificate Vocational in Hospitality. Once he had adapted to the College way of life, nothing was going to stop him being a success. Demonstrating an aptitude for academics, his lecturer, Ms Baleni encouraged him to apply for a National Diploma in Tourism at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Eager to share his experience and education, Lebohang volunteered at an Adult Learning Centre. A natural educator, he enrolled for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and soon thereafter applied for a teaching degree, all while juggling three different jobs to help ends meet.
Since 2015 Lebohang has been a fundamentals teacher for grade four and five learners at a school in Khayelitsha. Setting a positive example for the learners, Lebohang continued to study with CPUT and achieved his Honours in 2018 and more recently his Masters in 2021.
A teacher in one class and a student in the other, Lebohang is exceptionally excited to now work towards his Doctorate in Education at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
The College is proud to say that his higher education journey started with us and we look forward to seeing him reach his Doctorate stature in 2024.

Emerging markets must embrace the power of crypto.

Team Career Planet — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 00:36:03 +0000

Society is at a turning point.

Inequality has been growing for decades, with the world’s richest 1% today owning 45% of its wealth. Many countries are missing out on the benefits of a developed and inclusive financial system, and emerging markets are increasingly struggling to keep up. But to what extent can crypto solve their problems and increase financial inclusion? Are emerging markets ready to take advantage of the potential benefits on offer?

An unequal playing field.

The issues faced by emerging markets in the financial sector can often be traced to historical structural inequalities. As the rest of the developed world continues to grow and innovate, many emerging economies are still struggling to overcome the very basic issues that their developed counterparts dealt with decades, or centuries ago. They are beset by poor corporate governance, weak legal and judicial infrastructures, and limited access to reliable information.

This results in opaque financial systems that are prone to corruption. In a Bank of International Settlements (BIS) report on financial stability in emerging markets, it was claimed that the lack of transparency about banks’ operations and financial conditions makes it difficult for stakeholders to exercise proper market discipline. The lack of effective management and political interference also makes it difficult for banks to exercise prudence in the loans sector, dragging people into debt they are unable to get out from under of.

Investopedia notes that “Investors who seek a fair, competitive business environment will avoid investing in countries where there is a high level of corruption.” Poor education and limited access to adequate healthcare are also often serious problems within emerging markets – these, too, have a direct, serious impact on the viability for emerging economies to perform.

Enter, tech.

Disruptive technologies can and have helped to remedy the financial disparity in emerging markets. If we look at the case for Artificial intelligence (AI) being used, the applications are poised to aid a variety of inefficiencies. Owing to AI’s sophistication, many believe it lends itself better to applications in developed economies; but AI is perhaps even more relevant in emerging markets,

In villages in Indonesia and Kenya, AI enabled systems are making it easier for small entrepreneurs and farmers to gain work more efficiently. Across these emerging economies, farmers are able to use common mobile devices to access AI-enabled weather services that provide real-time information on weather, water usage and requirements and soil conditions, allowing them to make more informed operating decisions.

In terms of financial inclusion, though, there are few technologies having a greater impact than cryptocurrencies.

A growing market.

The potential of cryptocurrency in emerging markets is already being realised to an extent, with high levels of adoption increasingly reflecting this. According to a 2019 Statista Global Consumer Survey, the top five countries in terms of cryptocurrency adoption are Turkey, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and South Africa.

Out with the old, in with equality.

When we look back at the history of the financial system, we’ve got to think about who it was there to serve. Big banks have always been in the business of making money – from credit lending to interest rates. These are not what emerging market participants are after.

The blockchain and cryptocurrency space has thus far looked at the technology’s implications for solving economic and social problems. That too is changing, in ways that treat emerging markets not as beneficiaries of global do-goodism but as full market participants.

Equal access is an issue plaguing many of the world’s monolithic industry structures: healthcare, education, finance. The worry creeps in when we realise the more progress is made, the bigger the gap grows.

Technology to the rescue.

Emerging markets may actually be better equipped than their more developed counterparts to exploit the benefits of new technology. They don’t have the established, legacy systems built up during previous waves of technological innovation. This means they are more agile and more able to build systems afresh.

For example, as Tyler Winklevoss, successful investor and entrepreneur, explains: “A lot of African countries leapfrogged the infrastructure of landline telecoms with cellular. They skipped that step. Blockchain will have the greatest impact in areas where the payment networks don’t exist or are very poor.”

Considering the heavily entrenched nature of older financial systems, in particular, it makes sense that emerging markets are better poised to start from scratch with innovative financial solutions. There’s an advantage to starting with little to no structure, because when change happens, agility and flexibility will always win the race.

Career Planet thanks Luno for providing access to the exciting new changes rising on our horizons. For more easily digestible news and informative insights on the power of Crypto in emerging economies, READ HERE.

Considering a career in Business Management?

Team Career Planet — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 12:07:47 +0000

Prior to studying, Aqeelah Abrahams was temporarily employed with business and marketing service providers. This gave her the motivation to study towards a formal qualification in Business Management, which would expose her to all the fundamentals of business.

At the end of 2019, Aqeelah completed her Business Management N6 and was successfully placed by the False Bay TVET College Work Integrated Learning Department at Maritz Electrical Central Office. Maritz Electrical provides complete, turnkey electrical and lighting solutions to the public and private sectors in commercial, domestic and industrial markets.

Upon completion of her 18-month internship, the management unanimously agreed that she should be offered a permanent placement, which she happily accepted. This is, however, not the end of her story. Aqeelah is responsible for customer service, accounts, orders, payments and reporting. Her experience in the financial department has helped her realise her acumen for numbers and as such, she now is redirecting her career focus to the finance sector. She has already completed an online bookkeeping and accounting course and will be pursuing an online qualification to specialise in financial accounting.

Steven Gabrielse, Finance Executive said “Aqeelah has received much praise from her colleagues and even the directors. They all acknowledge her capabilities and agree that she is an asset to the company. She has grown tremendously in her role, and we are happy to provide further graduates internship opportunities if they demonstrate her good work ethic.”

Aqeelah advised anyone considering to study with False Bay TVET College to go for it. “The 18 months of Work Integrated Learning really gets you ready for permanent employment. Also, in my case helped me identify my strengths and interest in the financial aspects of the business.”

Prepare for a career in IT with TVET

Team Career Planet — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 11:36:06 +0000

Changing the stereotype that IT is for nerds! Sioux (pronounced Sue) Williams is everything but a nerd. A high pace young lady, she enjoys playing golf and squash, scuba dives and even enjoys a little drag racing when the opportunity presents itself.

But during the workweek, she expresses her energy for life through her dynamic content creation. She is employed with Be Safe Paramedical since April 2021. Sioux is in charge of the smooth running and updating of the business website and social pages, including the development of all content.

Completing her National Certificate (Vocational) in Information Technology, at the False Bay TVET College, Fish Hoek Campus, Sioux knew from Grade 9 which industry she wanted to be in. “There are such great career prospects for individuals with the right ICT qualifications. We are in the digital era which has created a space for so many to explore and for new innovations” Says Sioux.

While Sioux most enjoyed the multimedia and electronic aspects of her learning, her Programming lecturer Mr. Gilmore Magwaza remembers her fondly for her natural aptitude. “She was a bright student and did well in her programmes which included Visual Basic, HTML, CSS, Java and many more. These programmes give our students the tools to build and illustrate a website and I am sure she will go forward and produce good websites in the future,” said Magwaza.

This is exactly the space Sioux wants to be, her goal is to work abroad with a graphic design and web development agency.

The new Tourism pioneers.

Team Career Planet — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 09:05:25 +0000

Maya Angelou said “I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels.” She could’ve been referring to Bernice Maharaj. While Covid-19 has kept her grounded, she dreams of traveling to the countries and cities she works with and beyond, at her employer Hideaways, a subsidiary of Jenman Africa Safaris.

Recently appointed after a 6-month Work Integrated Learning Placement at False Bay TVET College, Bernice is now the junior Reservation Consultant for a collection of bespoke properties and luxury safari experiences that are positioned across Southern Africa.

Completing her National Certificate N6 in Tourism in 2021, she would happily recommend studying at False Bay TVET College for the opportunities it presents.

Bernice is exposed to all aspects of the Agency, liaising with clients and providers, bookings, custom service, accounts, logistics and even a little marketing. Her all-round experience makes her an exceptional addition to any Travel and Tours Agency.

While this story sounds like a fairy tale, at times during her study career, she questioned her choice of study, her thoughts giving into the uncertainty of others. However, through small validations, a good lecturer and her determination to follow her dreams, her passion and enthusiasm for the industry was restored. “Don’t follow your families and friends’ dreams, follow your own and always put your best work forward” recommends Bernice.

When she attended the World Travel Market Exhibition in 2019, as part of a class excursion, her mind was opened to so many possibilities that she realised she wasn’t dreaming big enough. “The tourism sector is so vast and intertwined with so many direct and indirect career possibilities.”
Focused on her career and travel goals, we are sure she will be getting her passport stamped soon!

Arts vs Maths in the 4th Industrial Revolution

Team Career Planet — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 09:39:00 +0000

The arts could become more important for young people than maths in the future, according to a leading education expert.

Researcher Andreas Schleicher, who leads the Programme for International Student Assessment at the intergovernmental economic organisation OECD, believes that young people could benefit more from the skills gained through creativity than test-based learning.

Schleicher, who is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading educational thinkers, said: “I would say, in the fourth industrial revolution, arts may become more important than maths.

“We talk about ‘soft skills’ often as social and emotional skills, and hard skills as about science and maths, but it might be the opposite,” he said, suggesting that science and maths may become ‘softer’ in future when the need for them decreases due to technology, and the ‘hard skills’ will be “your curiosity, your leadership, your persistence and your resilience”.

His comments follow concerns that a traditional STEM curriculum could make young people less prepared for the demands of the future.

“When you look at the types of tasks that students are doing, they are more those that are associated with the past than the future – the kind of things that are easy to teach and easy to test. It is precisely those things that are easier to digitise.

“The modern world doesn’t reward you for what you know, but for what you can do with what you know,” he said.

Source: thestage.co.uk (edited)

Your Gap Year; things to consider.

Team Career Planet — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 11:41:46 +0000

How does COVID-19 impact gap year plans?

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is likely to have an impact on your gap year, whether you plan to travel, or stay local and get a job. It’s likely that as guidance from UK governments, and other countries change you might need to review or, in some cases, reschedule your plans.

A gap year offers you the opportunity to gain skills and experiences, while giving you time to reflect and focus on what you want to do next.

A productive gap year can be valuable on your CV – many employers value the experiences students have gained if they’ve actively managed their time, set themselves goals, and stretched themselves.
A gap year can also enhance your higher education studies – if you decide to apply for uni, you could tailor your gap year to relate it to the subject area you plan to study.
Admissions tutors know that some students may take a little time to adjust to studying again, but many former gap year students are generally more focused and responsible.

Why do you want to take a year out?

It’s really important to set goals to make your time productive, so you need to identify what you want to achieve. You might want to:

have a break from study
gain new skills/experiences
earn money
spend time deciding what you want to do
do a combination of the above

A year out isn’t an option that suits everyone – for some, it may be advisable not to take a break between studies. Here are some pros and cons to consider.

Pros	Cons
An opportunity to have a break from studying and return refreshed. You can volunteer, get valuable work experience, and travel the world.	Some people find a year out becomes a distraction from their longer term plans.
A productive gap year can be valuable on your CV.	An unstructured year out may not add much value to your future – careful thought and planning is essential.
You could relate the experience and activities to the subject area you plan to study.	It can be harder to return to study or work after a year-long break.
You can earn and save money towards your higher education costs or future plans.	It can be expensive and you could find yourself in a worse financial position at the end.
You will develop maturity if you don’t yet feel ready for higher education or work life. For some careers, it can be an advantage to be slightly older and have some life experience.	If you don’t get organised, you may end up spending your gap year just ‘thinking about it’.

Do your research

It’s really important to form a plan of what you will do for the year, no matter what your gap year idea is, and you need to start planning well in advance. Some voluntary work schemes are popular and have strict deadlines, and you need to consider when you need the money to pay for airfares or visas.

There are loads of ideas you could consider – some might fill an entire year, others a few weeks or months. You could also combine more than one idea.

There is a wide range of gap year and volunteering schemes available. If you’re using an agency or scheme, check out how long they have been running, if they are financially sound, and are members of a reputable organisation.

If you want to organise it yourself, research the costs of the features offered by organised schemes which appeal to you, but make sure you get advice on safety, any additional checks, and insurance cover you may need to consider.

You may find useful information on social media, online forums, and websites. Look at the reviews, articles, and advice from people who’ve ‘been there and done that’ for the sort of gap year you’re considering.

Gap year ideas, what can you do?

Volunteering – support a worthwhile cause and gain valuable experience. You could take part in a wildlife conservation project, teach children, or help build a school in a third world country.
Travel – explore the world, discover new cultures, and develop your independent living skills at the same time! You could go backpacking across South East Asia, InterRail through Europe, or buy a round the world plane ticket!
Paid employment – earn money and gain new skills at home or aboard. You could work on an outback farm in Australia, as a ski lift operator in Canada, or at a backpacker hostel in New Zealand.
Work experience – if you want to gain relevant experience and skills for a particular career or subject you plan to study, you could consider a work placement or internship. These can last from a few weeks to a year. Depending on the type of contract on offer, you may or may not receive a salary. These are very popular and competition for places is high, so you will need to apply early.
Part-time courses – why not take the opportunity to try something new? You could take up a new language, learn how to programme, try a new sport or music instrument, or learn a new practical skill, such as mechanics, carpentry, or cookery.

Gap year tips

What do you want to achieve from a gap year? New skills, experience, or do you want more time to consider your future? Set goals to make your time productive – think about getting the right balance between time spent and benefits gained.
How much time can you be away and when? What do you want to spend your time doing and where? Are you going to work, are there interests or hobbies you can take further, or do you want to help others by volunteering? What value will it add to your study, your CV, or career?
What is available? Research the wide range of gap year and volunteering schemes available, or look into organising it yourself. If you’re using an agency or scheme, check out how long they have been running, if they are financially sound, and are members of a reputable organisation, where they agree to follow a code of conduct. Look at the reviews, articles, and advice from people who’ve ’been there and done’ the sort of gap year you’re considering.

Here are some starter ideas on who to contact:

GVI Africa

Gap Year International

Gap Africa

PlanMyGapYear

Top 5 Gap Year Organisations

Volunteer in Africa

False Bay College

How much money will you need? Unless you’re planning to work or have some financial help, you are going to need money. Set yourself a realistic budget that you can afford to stick to. Costs vary considerably, so research carefully and don’t forget to add things like flights, visas, accommodation, insurance, and vaccinations (you can check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for information on vaccinations).

Get advice

It’s worth checking forums and social media for tips and insight into other people’s experience of gap years you’re interested in, particularly if you are looking at going abroad. Think carefully about what you want to do, and seek advice if you want to talk your ideas through further.
It may be possible to defer your acceptance of a place on a higher education course for a year – however, you may need to make your case directly to the university or college concerned for why this would be beneficial.
If you have any doubts, discuss your ideas further with parents/carers, teachers, or a careers adviser

Source: UCAS (University & College Admissions Service)