@Samuel, I tend to look at it like a pyramid of incremental skills. 1. At the very bottom of the pyramid is Linux command like skills. Windows/DOS skills are non-existent in this pyramid. These skills enable one to install, configure and maintain Apache, PHP and MySQL individually, via command line. And also set up the network. 2. On top of that, are skills to write code in code in PHP, and design a database in MySQL. 3. On top of this, is the ability see a scenario, identify a problem, and design a solution. Then either implement the solution, or have someone else implement it. IMHO, a system analyst who has not mastered at least 1 programming stack is a deficient one. Or a system integrator who has not wrestled with the vagaries of XML. I think this debate of producing well rounded graduates is one which has been used Universities and colleges to produce jacks of all trade, masters of none. In the context of shapes, we need triangular graduates, not rounded ones. This is why we are primarily consumers of technology, not producers. I have just read an article by one Mbugua Njihia<http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Build+products+that+meet++real+needs+of+the+market+/-/1248928/1535832/-/tmpski/-/index.html>, and he makes this assertion: *Mastery starts with a choice; a choice on what to focus on followed by study — not of the academic kind but a self-paced drill-down of what forms the core of the technology coupled with lots of experimentation, whose desired effect is to produce the elusive eureka moment. Mastery would for example mean that as a company or a developer you choose one (or a minimal set of ) databases, languages or tools as the base on which to build your product or service. * On Mon, Oct 15, 2012 at 11:14 AM, Samuel Wachira <wachirasam@gmail.com>wrote:
IMHO, IT is more than programming. Every day i get CVs of people who are programmers.... i need system analysts, i need implementers, i need system integrators, i need project managers. Programming is fine, but we also need system implementers who actually can run a full IT System, from hardware, Low level networking to O/S to Apps, to management.... then you get a rounded person.
While i may be biased on the systems side, i do believe that specialization is the way to go in IT, but we are talking Fresh minds here, not experienced people.
I speak on the standpoint of many positions i have posted on this and other forums, for interns an i usually get fresh graduates for Uni who "know" programming but don't know DOS/Command line! Many SMEs don't have the budget to hire specialists, and especially programmers... you need to know more.
On courses.. Microsoft has an initiative called Microsoft Virtual University. Please check it out. MIT also has some online courses for Third-world given for free... FOSS also has a similar initiative, posted on this list.
/.Sam
On Fri, Oct 12, 2012 at 8:46 PM, Athar Ahmad Bhatti <atharab@gmail.com>wrote:
Great stuff Peter, thanks. The idea is that it will be chargeable but only to cover the costs. The model has successfully been used in Ghana.
On Fri, Oct 12, 2012 at 7:59 PM, Peter Karunyu <pkarunyu@gmail.com>wrote:
Tackling question 2, IMHO; PHP, MySQL and Linux. Those 3 skills will enable a student start earning pocket change almost immediately, since there seems to be so much work around, including self employment.
However, there is a caveat... teaching a noobie PHP does not give them enough grounding in the principles of programming to make them a great developer (which equals lots more money), unless the said noobie has loads of self motivation to teach themselves.
The solution to this *seems *to be, to teach them a sufficiently low level and strict language which will force them to learn and conform to the foundations of programming, such as Java. However, before one can start earning pocket change in Java, they need to be much more better than a noobie, which then requires the said noobie to have even more bucket loads of self motivation, and the cycle continues.
That said, if I were in your shoes, I would go for PHP, MySQL and Linux.
Btw, when this training commences, I would be willing to teach some PHP or MySQL to the students, pro-bono, on weekends, my motivation being the quality of some of the "expert" PHP developers around is mediocre at best.
On Fri, Oct 12, 2012 at 7:13 PM, Athar Ahmad Bhatti <atharab@gmail.com>wrote:
Dear friends,
I have been tasked to look at the feasibility of setting up an IT training center by a charity to help students become employable. Any advice on the location, courses et al would be appreciated. My key queries are:
1. What is the best location to start with, that has a desperate need and cost effective to manage, get trainers, facilities and other resources 2. What courses would enable students to be marketable and start immediately
This would be an initial pilot and would lead to other centers once this is successful.
Thank you
Best regards
Athar
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