Choosing to work in IT is a great and riveting choice and offers many opportunities in South Africa.
IT workers help ensure that computers work well for people. Here's all you need to know about becoming an IT technician.
What is Information Technology?
Information Technology (IT) refers to anything related to computing technology. Information Technology is the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems.
It deals mainly with software applications (e.g. computer programs, codes and instructions – within a computer) and computer hardware (such as screen, monitor or motherboard – physical components).
What are the duties and tasks of an IT Technician?
- Set up workstations with computers and necessary peripheral devices (such as routers, printers, scanners, etc.) and also install software
- Perform troubleshooting to diagnose and resolve computer problems (repair or replace parts, debugging, etc.)
- Ability to ensure secure information systems that will serve to protect the business from data loss and breaches of integrity
- Repairing equipment and replacing parts
What skills and abilities are required to become an IT Technician?
- Good communication skills to be able to listen, ask the right questions to find the problem, then come up with a solution that everyone can understand
- Excellent problem solving skills
- Patience and a positive attitude to help other employees or customers
- Outstanding organisational and time-management skills
- Good technical skills (must have an understanding of how computers work)
What should I do if I want to study Information Technology?
- Contact your nearest TVET College to enquire about the entrance requirements for the Information Technology course
- Visit Information Technology companies to gain more knowledge about the field and what it entails
- Contact the DHET Career Development Services to provide you with free quality career information, advice and counselling services on 086 999 0123 or e-mail: careerhelp@dhet.gov.za
- Go for an aptitude test to help understand if a career in Information Technology is for you
- Attend career exhibitions in your area to liaise with higher learning institutions and obtain application forms
Where can I study to become an IT technician?
TVET Colleges offer courses to become an IT technician. Through these programmes, you can develop the skills you need and become qualified.
Visit the TVET Colleges website for more on South Africa's TVET Colleges.
There are also Universities which offer IT courses such as the University of Pretoria, Unisa, University of Cape Town, VUT and others.
Places such Coursera, GetSmarter, MindSharp and Milpark offer short courses in IT.
AIE, HyperionDev and MANCOSA are but a few of the private institutions which offer IT qualifications.
What are the minimum entry requirements to study Information Technology?
For the NC(V) Information Technology and Computer Science Programme at TVET Colleges: A Grade 9 Certificate + college requirements set per programme.
Entry requirements at Universities will differ depending on the type of qualification and the University itself.
