Internet service provider Neotel has entered into an alliance with computer training and software company NIIT to offer training solutions to organisations, communities and students in South Africa.

The alliance was announced at the fifth Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (Brics) summit, in Durban, in March and will expand the company’s foray into technology-enabled education provision.

The partnership with NIIT is a step in enabling education and skills development, said Neotel CEO Sunil Joshi at the summit. It is also an example of collaboration among Brics member organisations leveraging skills for the benefit of communities, he added.

Through the alliance, NIIT will leverage Neotel’s fibre broadband infrastructure for education and training purposes, mainly in the fields of information and communication technology, banking, finance and business-process optimisation, as well as e-literacy, through the provision of accredited, nonaccredited and short-term skills upgrade programmes.

The partnership with Neotel is a step by NIIT towards devel- oping talent and creating an employable workforce worldwide, says NIIT chief business operator of International Education Business Ajai Lal.

NIIT also aims to build a larger pool of skilled labour in South Africa in preparation for the expanding market worldwide.

The two companies are focusing on formalising the roll-out of education and knowledge centres that will be used to deliver custom-built training programmes to corporate executives and students.

Through NIIT’s established curriculum, students will receive training in a variety of environments on many hardware platforms. Courseware and training will take place through Neotel’s broadband network connectivity services, data centres and hosting and cloud-based services.

The programmes are designed to develop the requisite computing skills of students to help them find employment and for self-employed professionals to gain skills.

“Neotel and NIIT expect to be in a position to formally launch their first education centre in the second half of this year. We are committed to delivering innovative solutions that will have a significant positive impact on the everyday lives of ordinary South Africans. This initiative will assist in addressing the skills shortage, particularly in information technology,” said Joshi.

Neotel is South Africa’s first converged communications network operator and continues to invest in developing a world-class fibre network infrastructure, which currently spans Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, Pietermaritzburg and Port Elizabeth, reaching nearly nine-million consumers.

Asia-based NIIT offers learning and knowledge solutions across 38 countries.