On 1 April 2021 Synthesis and Afrika Tikkun Services celebrated the graduation of 25 students who graduated with an NQF Level 5 in IT Systems Development, accredited by the Media Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA).

The learnership programme takes place over 12 months. It is designed to furnish students, who come from disadvantaged communities across Johannesburg, with advanced computing and computer systems skills.

Synthesis launched its partnership with Afrika Tikkun Services in May 2017. Over the years, together they have managed to equip over 100 learners. It was a natural progression to partner with Afrika Tikkun Services to provide learnerships to unemployed youth. Afrika Tikkun Services not only assists with sourcing the learners and setting them up with a training facility, but also make sure there is a host site where they can do the practical part of their training.

The current learners commenced their programme in April 2020 during the hard lockdown with a virtual welcome from Synthesis. During the year, the programme gradually became classroom-based. During the virtual time, Afrika Tikkun Services assisted learners with getting smartphones and data to connect to their classroom. Throughout the engagements, Synthesis was welcomed at the training provider to see training in real time, and it had the opportunity to visit a host site. One of the learners worked so hard that even the host site appreciated her effort and offered her a position in the company as the learnership closed. In total, five learners were absorbed into employment opportunities post the learnership, and ten transitioned into an additional training programme designed to further strengthen their skills.

After commencing their learnership in lockdown, it was meaningful to be able to celebrate the graduation in person. Each learner was presented with certificates from Synthesis as well as Afrika Tikkun Services. The top learner, Sohail Dhoda, and top academic learner, Sudeshni Moodley, addressed their fellow classmates with inspiring messages to take with them on their future journeys.