Allied Technologies (Altech) has begun construction on a new multimedia training centre in Alexandra, Johannesburg, in a bid to boost ICT skills for high school pupils and community members.

The facility will cater for more than 10 000 learners, from seven high schools in Alexandra, offering classes in mathematics, science and English.

Altech said it will provide computer literacy learnerships for unemployed youth in the area.

Deputy minister in the presidency Obed Bapela attended a sod-turning event at the construction site recently. Altech said the building is a response to earlier calls for improved ICT access in the township.

This is the second multimedia centre to be built by Altech, following a similar launch in KwaZulu-Natal in 2010. Altech said learners will have Internet access and gain skills to use technical and scientifi c programmes, such as computer-aided design (CAD) and Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations (Plato).

Altech CEO Craig Venter" rel=tag>Craig Venter said the ICT skills will assist learners to take part in the South African economy. “By equipping our young people to participate in the knowledge economy, we are giving them the gift of economic freedom and our country the gift of growth and global competitiveness,” said Venter.