ICT tech company, Huawei has announced plans to invest US$150 million in youth digital talent development over the next five years.

"Today we are announcing Huawei's Seeds for the Future Program 2.0. As part of our commitment to continuously developing talent, we will invest US$150 million in this program over the next five years and help university students and young people improve their digital skills. This program is expected to benefit another three million people," said Huawei's chairman Liang Hua.

The announcement comes as the world marked Youth Skills Day on July 15^th, aimed at recognising the strategic importance of equipping young people with the skills of employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. The day also highlights the important role of skilled youth in addressing current and future global challenges.

In 2008, Huawei began to expand its talent development programs, through scholarships, technology competitions, and digital skills training, and has invested more than US$150 million in these programs. Huawei’s programs have since benefited more than 1.54 million people from over 150 countries.

Seeds for the Future is a program that aims to help cultivate young talent around the world, providing them with training from global ICT experts on the latest technologies to help them develop the skills and mindsets needed to be competitive in the workplaces of the future.

Huawei introduced this program to Africa in 2014, reaching nearly 2000 students in more than 25 African countries. The program and Huawei’s efforts in ICT talent development is carried out in partnerships with governments and academia.

In South Africa, Huawei has partnered with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies since 2016 to implement this global flagship CSR campaign. Applications for the 2021 online programme is currently open.

Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams is encouraging ICT students to register for this year’s Seeds for the Future program. Her department is charged with implementing South Africa’s digital economy ambitions. “The speed of change in technology demands an equal speed in acquiring the skills that the industry demands, our partnership with Huawei supports our National Digital and Future Skills Strategy. We acknowledge Huawei’s commitment to training our future ICT leaders and wish the Seeds Class of 2021 the very best learning experience,” the Minister says.

Selection criteria

• Total number of participants: 20 - 50 students
• South Africa citizen
• All university students with ICT related major (Computer Science, Electronic Science, Information Technology, Software, Engineering, etc.)
• Average of 70% academic marks
• Have a strong interest in telecommunications and technologies
• Team player and dedicated to training tasks (including but not limited to training tests and completing a high-quality essay)
• Interest in China and Chinese culture
• Gender balance, 50% or more female participants.

Applicants should submit an application package by 23^rd July 2021, to the following e-mail address: saseeds@huawei.com and mtau@dtps.gov.za

An application package should contain:

• Completed application form containing; Personal Details such as Name, Gender, Race, DoB, motivation for your selection.
• Academic Records – including report for the last academic year and current progress
• ID copy
• Recommendation or Reference letter from Faculty/Division Head (optional, prefer to have)
• CV (optional)
• Any supporting documents.

Huawei and the DCDT will select the best suitable candidates based on their written submissions and online interviews to determine the final students by 29 July 2021.

Image Caption: DCTD Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams and Seeds for the Future, Class of 2020.